HB2031 Would Allow the Arming of Teachers and Other Employees In K-12 Schools and Community Colleges, Putting Arizona Children and Teens at Risk
More Than 40 Moms Demand Action Volunteers Attended Today’s Hearing to Testify in Opposition, and Nearly 8,000 Messages Were Sent Urging Lawmakers to Oppose The Bill.
PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Arizona chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Students Demand Action, both a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded the House Public Safety Committee on the decision to table House Bill 2031, a bill that would allow the arming of teachers and other employees in K-12 schools and community colleges. Arming teachers has already proven to be risky, and it increases the chances that a teachers’ gun will fall into the wrong hands or that a gun will discharge unintentionally and injure a student.
“We know that arming teachers doesn’t make children safer,” said Jennifer Zechlin, a volunteer with the Arizona chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “That’s why we showed up in droves ready to testify against this bill. We thank Committee Chair Kevin Payne for setting aside this risky proposal, and we hope we can continue to focus on proven and effective approaches to address school safety, like enacting stronger gun safety laws that stop shooters from accessing guns.”
“As a student, I should never have to worry about entering a classroom where there’s a gun,” said David Oporto, a volunteer with Arizona Students Demand Action. “Too often, we see knee-jerk reactions to addressing school safety, like this dangerous proposal to arm teachers — even though research has shown that this only makes us less safe. I’m grateful that the House Public Safety Committee has recognized that arming teachers is not a viable solution to gun violence in schools.”
