REP. MIKE THOMPSON STATEMENT ON NRA SCHOOL SAFETY PROPOSAL
April 2, 2013
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5), chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force today released the following statement on the National Rifle Association's (NRA) National School Shield Program.
“School safety is an important component of any comprehensive plan to reduce and prevent gun violence. That's why my task force recommended that Congress take steps to enhance school safety nearly two months ago. We should do everything we can to keep our kids safe, and that includes having school resource officers in those schools that want them, and urging our communities to develop safety plans in case of emergencies. However, arming school personnel and training them for shootouts will only exacerbate problems.
“While school safety must be part of any comprehensive gun violence prevention plan, it cannot be the only part. We need to invest in mental health and other preventive efforts. We need to enforce the laws that are on the books by cracking down on gun trafficking and straw purchasing. And, we need to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the dangerously mentally ill by making sure everyone purchasing a gun gets a background check.
“Passing legislation that enhances school safety is not an acceptable alternative to passing other gun violence prevention measures such as background checks. Congress can and should do both.”
Thompson's task force recommended in early February that Congress help all schools implement evidence-based strategies that support safe learning environments tailored to the unique needs of students and local communities. The task force also recommended that Congress work with schools to develop emergency response plans.
A full report of the policy principles released by the task force can be seen here.
Thompson, who chairs the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, is a hunter, gun owner, and wounded veteran who carried an assault weapon in Vietnam. He is a supporter of the Second Amendment and believes that Congress can take meaningful steps to reduce and prevent gun violence while also protecting the constitutional rights of law abiding Americans.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
“School safety is an important component of any comprehensive plan to reduce and prevent gun violence. That's why my task force recommended that Congress take steps to enhance school safety nearly two months ago. We should do everything we can to keep our kids safe, and that includes having school resource officers in those schools that want them, and urging our communities to develop safety plans in case of emergencies. However, arming school personnel and training them for shootouts will only exacerbate problems.
“While school safety must be part of any comprehensive gun violence prevention plan, it cannot be the only part. We need to invest in mental health and other preventive efforts. We need to enforce the laws that are on the books by cracking down on gun trafficking and straw purchasing. And, we need to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the dangerously mentally ill by making sure everyone purchasing a gun gets a background check.
“Passing legislation that enhances school safety is not an acceptable alternative to passing other gun violence prevention measures such as background checks. Congress can and should do both.”
Thompson's task force recommended in early February that Congress help all schools implement evidence-based strategies that support safe learning environments tailored to the unique needs of students and local communities. The task force also recommended that Congress work with schools to develop emergency response plans.
A full report of the policy principles released by the task force can be seen here.
Thompson, who chairs the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, is a hunter, gun owner, and wounded veteran who carried an assault weapon in Vietnam. He is a supporter of the Second Amendment and believes that Congress can take meaningful steps to reduce and prevent gun violence while also protecting the constitutional rights of law abiding Americans.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
# # #