Armed teachers in schools? N.Y. lawmakers want to ban it
ALBANY, N.Y. — Democrats in the state Senate are proposing a ban on allowing teachers to carry guns in schools as a way to thwart any potential changes in federal law.
On Saturday, Long Island Sen. Todd Kaminsky announced legislation that would change New York penal law to explicitly prohibit teachers from carrying guns in schools.
The announcement adds to the debate in the state Legislature over what gun-control measures may be needed in the wake of the Parkland, Fla., school shootings Feb. 14.
“More guns does not equal safer schools,” Kaminsky, a Democrat, said in a statement.
“Calls to arm our teachers are merely a distraction from urgently needed, common sense gun safety measures, increased funding for mental-health services, and funding for hardening technology for our schools."
The legislation, set to be introduced Monday, would change current law that defines criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds or buildings as illegal "without the written authorization of such educational institution."
More: There are hundreds of new state gun laws since Newtown. Most have expanded access to guns
More: Florida gun bill draws ire of shooting's survivors
The bill would change the language to "stipulate that no educational institution shall issue such written authorization to any teacher, professor, administrator, or other person who is not primarily employed as a school resource officer, law enforcement officer or security guard."
Senate Democrats said the bill would add protections in New York law if the federal restrictions on guns in school zones were to be lifted.
President Trump has suggested that teachers trained in using firearms should maybe be able to carry in schools to help fight back against an attack.
Democrats in New York and Gov. Andrew Cuomo has rejected the idea, saying arming teachers is a bad idea.
"I support security in schools. We always have. But arming teachers? No," Cuomo told reporters Wednesday.
Senate Democrats sought to get the Republican-led chamber last week to approve a package of gun-control measures that would build on the state's tough law called the SAFE Act approved in 2013.
But Republicans rejected the bill on the Senate floor and have said they will introduce their own school-safety legislation in the coming days.
Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif knocked Kaminsky's bill, saying Republicans also oppose arming teachers.
Senate Republicans have discussed more state aid for security cameras and the hardening of school doors, as well as money to add an armed resource officer in every school that wants one.
“At a time when there are serious school safety issues to address so we can better protect students on Long Island and across the state, all Todd Kaminsky can do is grandstand," Reif said.
"No one in New York is proposing to arm school teachers, and he knows it. In fact, Senator Flanagan is adamantly opposed, and thinks teachers should be allowed to focus on teaching."
On Saturday, Long Island Sen. Todd Kaminsky announced legislation that would change New York penal law to explicitly prohibit teachers from carrying guns in schools.
The announcement adds to the debate in the state Legislature over what gun-control measures may be needed in the wake of the Parkland, Fla., school shootings Feb. 14.
“More guns does not equal safer schools,” Kaminsky, a Democrat, said in a statement.
“Calls to arm our teachers are merely a distraction from urgently needed, common sense gun safety measures, increased funding for mental-health services, and funding for hardening technology for our schools."
The legislation, set to be introduced Monday, would change current law that defines criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds or buildings as illegal "without the written authorization of such educational institution."
More: There are hundreds of new state gun laws since Newtown. Most have expanded access to guns
More: Florida gun bill draws ire of shooting's survivors
The bill would change the language to "stipulate that no educational institution shall issue such written authorization to any teacher, professor, administrator, or other person who is not primarily employed as a school resource officer, law enforcement officer or security guard."
Senate Democrats said the bill would add protections in New York law if the federal restrictions on guns in school zones were to be lifted.
President Trump has suggested that teachers trained in using firearms should maybe be able to carry in schools to help fight back against an attack.
Democrats in New York and Gov. Andrew Cuomo has rejected the idea, saying arming teachers is a bad idea.
"I support security in schools. We always have. But arming teachers? No," Cuomo told reporters Wednesday.
Senate Democrats sought to get the Republican-led chamber last week to approve a package of gun-control measures that would build on the state's tough law called the SAFE Act approved in 2013.
But Republicans rejected the bill on the Senate floor and have said they will introduce their own school-safety legislation in the coming days.
Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif knocked Kaminsky's bill, saying Republicans also oppose arming teachers.
Senate Republicans have discussed more state aid for security cameras and the hardening of school doors, as well as money to add an armed resource officer in every school that wants one.
“At a time when there are serious school safety issues to address so we can better protect students on Long Island and across the state, all Todd Kaminsky can do is grandstand," Reif said.
"No one in New York is proposing to arm school teachers, and he knows it. In fact, Senator Flanagan is adamantly opposed, and thinks teachers should be allowed to focus on teaching."
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