House Looks To Guns To Protect Schools

April 29, 2014

In a debate that showed sharp divisions about how best to protect children and teachers, the Florida House on Monday approved a bill that could lead to some public-school employees or volunteers carrying guns on campus.

House members voted 71-44 to approve the bill (HB 753), which would allow school districts to decide whether to designate people who could carry concealed weapons on schools grounds. Those people would have to be trained and have military or law-enforcement backgrounds.

Rep. Dennis Baxley, an Ocala Republican who has long backed such proposals, said gun-free schools have become a “sterile target” that can be attacked by deranged people. The debate Monday included references to mass shootings at places such as a Newton, Conn., elementary school and at Fort Hood in Texas.

“Gun free zones are the most dangerous places in America,” said Rep. Neil Combee, a Polk City Republican and supporter of the bill. “We all know that. Whether it’s Fort Hood or the school shootings, most of the mass killings these days occur in these gun free zones.”

But critics said the state should instead spend money to put trained law-enforcement officers, known as school resource officers, on campuses throughout the state. At one point, Rep. Dwayne Taylor, D-Daytona Beach, raised the specter of the bill leading to someone like “Barney Fife” — the bumbling character in the old “Andy Griffith” television show — having a gun on school grounds.

“We don’t need amateurs bringing guns to the fight,” Rep. Mia Jones, D-Jacksonville, said.

The vote was along almost straight party lines, with Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, crossing to join Republicans in supporting the measure.

It remains questionable, however, whether the Senate will pass the bill. The Senate’s version (SB 968) was approved by one committee last month but did not get heard in three other committees.

The House bill, sponsored by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, would allow school superintendents, with the approval of their school boards, to designate people who could carry guns on school grounds. The designees could be honorably discharged veterans, active-duty members of the military or current or retired law-enforcement officers. They also would need to have concealed-weapons licenses and complete a school-safety program created by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

Steube and other supporters said the bill could particularly help protect schools in rural areas. For example, Steube said police respond within six to 11 minutes to schools in suburban areas of Sarasota and Manatee counties but that the response times are longer in rural areas.

But Rep. Mark Danish, a Tampa Democrat and teacher, said people who tote guns on school grounds should be professionals.

“If we need this, which I think we might, then let’s spend the money,” Danish said.

by Jim Saunders The News Service of Florida

Comments

2 Responses to “House Looks To Guns To Protect Schools”

  1. Lady on April 29th, 2014 1:09 pm

    I think these should be Law Enforcement Officers and not just common people TRAINED. These could be ones who would be trained already. Our children are our most important asset. Every day minor crimes that lawmakers build into ongoing costs that are outrageous because the County drops these minor altercations and the State picks these up just to generate more MONEY. It would be helpful if Lawmakers would look into this situation. This money in the County could get this money instead of the State. This could fund this extra officer in the schools. I would love to see these budgets, STATE VERSUS COUNTY.

  2. Robert S. on April 29th, 2014 9:16 am

    Very sad and disturbing that our society has forced this to become an issue.

    When I was a kid there were guns in the home and we were taught how and when to use them and to respect them. They were kept in a closet and never left around the house openly.
    Parents were parents and home was a real home with values and ethics and not just a temporary place to stay.

    Having trained and seasoned persons in the schools who can carry a gun may be a better solution than having to call 911 and wait for help to arrive.
    The best solution of course is to not have to resort to this.

    America, where are we headed…?

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