SPLC Action Fund: Recommendations would threaten, not improve school safety in Florida

The Florida Senate and House Education Committees today heard recommendations from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission. The following statement is by Bacardi Jackson, managing attorney for the SPLC Action Fund:

“The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission’s recommendations would threaten, not improve, school safety for Florida students. Those who support arming teachers and other staff in Florida schools have not and cannot point to any evidence that this is an effective means to stop school shootings.
 
“Our state’s already limited funds for education should not be wasted on evidence-free and expensive initiatives like more guns and armed civilians. Instead, our tax dollars should be spent responsibly on interventions – such as comprehensive mental health services, positive approaches to addressing misbehavior, and having unarmed school personnel who are trained to undertake safety functions – that have been proven to create a welcoming environment for all students and that won’t further undermine school safety.”