Assembly Bill 424 Would Close a Dangerous Loophole That Allows School Districts to Authorize People to Bring Guns into California’s K-12 Schools
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and members of the Everytown Survivor Network, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded the Assembly passage of Assembly Bill 424 – legislation by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty and Assemblymember Miguel Santiago aimed at protecting California’s K-12 students by keeping guns out of schools.
Gun violence survivors and volunteers with California Moms Demand Action met with legislators to discuss AB 424 and testified during committee hearings in support of AB 424.
Recently, the Board of Education of the San Francisco Unified School District proactively voted in favor of a resolution supporting Assembly Bill 424.
STATEMENT FROM RICHARD MARTINEZ, A MEMBER OF THE EVERYTOWN SURVIVOR NETWORK AND SENIOR ASSOCIATE FOR EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY, WHOSE SON CHRISTOPHER ROSS MICHAELS-MARTINEZ WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN THE MAY 2014 SHOOTING IN ISLA VISTA:
“I’ve said it many times and will continue to say, that since my son Chris died, the only thing that’s important to me is the work I do to reduce gun violence, to make sure other families don’t experience this loss. Contrary to what the gun lobby contends, guns in schools will not make our children safer. I’m glad the Assembly today passed AB 424, which will help protect children in schools from the risk of unintentional shootings and from confusing law enforcement responses in emergencies. I now urge the Senate to move swiftly, pass this important piece of legislation and send it to Governor Brown’s desk.”
STATEMENT FROM CLARE SENCHYNA, VOLUNTEER WITH THE CALIFORNIA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION AND MEMBER OF THE EVERYTOWN SURVIVOR NETWORK, WHOSE 26-YEAR-OLD SON, CAMILO SENCHYNA-BELTRAN, WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN SAN FRANCISCO ON DECEMBER 7, 2014, IN A RANDOM SHOOTING:
“I live my life in the memory of my son Camilo, who was shot and killed at age 26. I’m dedicated to doing everything I can so that other families do not have to experience my pain. Today the Assembly passed AB 424, legislation that would close the loophole that currently allows for guns in our children’s classrooms. This is a small but important step toward keeping children safe from gun violence in our state. I’m proud of Assemblymember Kevin McCarty for standing up to the gun lobby and for sponsoring AB 424, a common-sense bill that will help keep children safe in their classrooms. I strongly urge the Senate to pass AB 424 onto Governor Brown’s desk.”