New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation at the end of July limiting an educational institution's ability to authorize any person who is not primarily employed as a school resource officer, law enforcement officer or security guard to carry a firearm on school grounds (S.101/A.1715), and directing state police to establish statewide regulations aimed at strengthening existing gun buyback programs and creating new programs for the safe removal of illegal, unsecured, abandoned or unwanted firearms (S.2449/A.2685).
In general, AFSA has stood up against arming educators. In fact, the union has passed a number of resoultions and issued a number of statements agreeing with this idea.
In the wake of a rising number of deadly school shootings occurring across our nation, many have suggested that teachers and other school employees should be trained and armed to help deter and prevent future school shootings, even though educators nationwide have disapproved of the idea of carrying guns. Additionally, introducing guns into schools could create the potential for accidental shootings or other acts of violence. This legislation stipulates that educational institutions can't issue written authorization to carry a gun to any teacher, professor, administrator or other person who is not primarily employed as a school resource officer, law enforcement officer or security guard. The bill takes effect immediately.
The Huffington Post and NBC reports that "across the country, 18 states allow adults to carry a loaded gun on school grounds, generally provided that they have written permission from a principal or the school board."
"The answer to the gun violence epidemic plaguing this country has never been and never will be more guns, and today we're expanding New York's nation-leading gun safety laws to further protect our children," Cuomo said. "These measures will help slow the proliferation of guns by keeping unneeded firearms out of school zones and helping to ensure unwanted or illegal guns don't fall into dangerous hands."
"Senseless and horrific gun violence continues to impact children and families across the nation," said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. "In New York, we're proud to lead the nation with commonsense gun safety measures to protect New Yorkers. This legislation will prevent teachers from being armed and establishes gun buyback programs to keep firearms off school grounds and ensure the protection of young people. While the federal government turns its back on gun violence and prevention, we're committed to preventing tragedies and saving lives."
