Texas Plan For Guns In School May Not Comply With State Law

Aug 19, 2008

Washington, D.C. – In response to recent reports that a small 110-student school district in north Texas allows school staff to be armed without being licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education, the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence has released an analysis indicating that such policies apparently violate Texas law.

“It is a myth that ‘gun-free schools’ somehow make our children more vulnerable,” said Brady Center President Paul Helmke.  “In fact, America’s schools are some of the safest places for them to be.  As Gary Kleck, a researcher frequently cited by the gun lobby, has noted, ‘both gun carrying and gun violence are … phenomena almost entirely confined to the world outside schools.’  Less than 1% of school-age victims of homicide are killed on school grounds or on the way to or from school.  Adding more guns in school can only put our kids at greater risk.

“An analysis by the Brady Center Legal Action Project (attached) shows that the Harrold Independent School District’s plan to arm staff and teachers without being properly licensed does not appear to comply with Texas law,” Helmke said

“The most important issue here is the safety of our children,” said Marsha McCartney, President of the Texas Million Mom March Chapters of the Brady Campaign.  “When students go to school, they are best protected by law enforcement officers or school resource officers and not just staff with other school duties who happen to have concealed carry permits.  Texas law requires school district officials to follow strict requirements,” McCartney said.

Read the Legal Action Project analysis here: http://www.bradycampaign.org/xshare/pdf/letters/schools/harrold-texas-memo.pdf

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As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.

For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke's blog at www.bradycampaign.org/blog/. Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org.