L.I. Politician Puts Forward Law That Bans Arming Teachers

State Senator Todd Kaminsky unveiled legislation over the weekend to prohibit teachers from carrying guns in schools. Kaminsky was joined by Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Rockville Centre Superintendent Dr. William Johnson, advocacy groups, Senator John Brooks and local teachers and students.

“More guns does not equal safer schools,” said Kaminsky, a Democrat from Long Beach. “Calls to arm our teachers are merely a distraction from urgently needed, common sense gun safety measures, increased funding for mental health services, and funding for hardening technology for our schools. No one other than law enforcement has any business carrying a gun in a school. Our teachers want to focus on educating our students, and injecting more guns into our schools can lead to increasing dangerous situations and keeps us from enacting real solutions to reduce mass shootings and everyday gun violence in our state.”

Spurred by calls following last month’s tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida to arm educators instead of passing gun control and mental health measures, Kaminsky sponsored the legislation to stop such a plan being enacted in New York. Should federal restrictions on guns in school zones be lifted, current New York law would allow a pathway for teachers to carry firearms. This legislation would prohibit that.

“Anything we can do to keep guns out of schools is a step in the direction of maintaining safety for all of our students,” said Dr. William Johnson, Rockville Centre's superintendent.

Photo: Sen. Kaminsky's Office