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. – Volunteers with 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 came together with Assemblymembers Kevin McCarty, Miguel Santiago, David Chiu and Todd Gloria and a member of the California Parent Teacher Association to rally support for Assembly Bill 424 – legislation aimed at protecting California’s K-12 students by keeping guns out of schools. During the rally, gun safety advocates urged the Assembly to vote yes on AB 424 in their upcoming vote this Thursday.
Last week, the Board of Education of the San Francisco Unified School District proactively voted in favor of a resolution supporting Assembly Bill 424.
Also Tuesday, gun violence survivors and volunteers with California Moms Demand Action met with legislators to discuss their support of AB 424.
STATEMENT FROM ASSEMBLYMEMBER KEVIN MCCARTY:
“I’m proud to sponsor Assembly Bill 424, an important piece of legislation that aims to prevent tragedy before it happens. No child, educator or staff member should feel in danger because a gun is present inside a school building. This bill will close a dangerous loophole and help keep California children safe.”
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:
“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. The gun lobby says that guns in schools will make our children safer. But the reality is that guns in schools increase the risk of unintentional shootings, complicate law enforcement response in emergencies and make it more likely that conflicts will escalate and turn lethal. We should reject the gun lobby’s vision of guns everywhere in America – even in our children’s classrooms. I urge our legislators to vote yes on AB 424 – putting the safety of students first.”
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:
“My son Camilo was shot and killed at age 26, when he still had so much life in front of him. I know all too well that gun violence can happen anywhere at any time. Now I live my life in Camilo’s memory, and I’m dedicated to doing everything I can so that other families do not have to experience my pain. That’s why Assembly Bill 424 is so important, as it would close the loophole that currently allows for guns in our children’s classrooms. I urge the Assembly to pass AB 424 on Thursday and send the bill to the Senate.”