What AB 202 really says
By The Bakersfield Californian
In response to The Californian's Feb. 2 editorial, "Train janitors to defend our campuses?":
Apparently, The Californian seems to think that creating another line of defense between our children and a predator intent on committing acts of violence in the classroom is an outrageous idea. Or at least that's what you'd think after reading Saturday's editorial. The paper criticizes Assembly Bill 202 as a delusional attempt to turn school campuses into "arsenals of loaded weapons." Well, I'd like to set the record straight about the intent of AB 202, which I co-authored with several of my Republican colleagues.
State law already allows school employees to carry a concealed firearm on campus if all licensing requirements are met and the local school district authorizes it. It is misleading to say that this bill is seeking to arm teachers and janitors who are currently not qualified to carry weapons. AB 202 simply empowers school districts to use general purpose funds for those school employees who request concealed weapon (CCW) training, so they can lawfully and safely carry a concealed firearm. This bill also exempts these employees from the California Public Records Act, which requires CCW holders' information be available to the public. This will protect staff from identification so they themselves do not become targets. In this way, school districts are enabling their staff to provide real, immediate and lawful protection to the students in their care.
Individuals authorized by the state of California to carry concealed firearms undergo comprehensive training, and are taught that the first step in diffusing potentially dangerous threats is making smart, responsible decisions appropriate to the situation. CCW holders know that using their firearm is the last resort, not the first. AB 202 will not turn school campuses into the O.K. Corral featuring "gun-toting teachers and janitors," and it will not diminish the seriousness with which those who lawfully carry concealed firearms take their duty.
AB 202 is just one idea to give schools around the state the opportunity to adopt pre-emptive security measures so their students can feel safe. This bill is not a heavy-handed mandate requiring teachers and janitors to carry guns. Under current law, districts do not have to allow school employees with CCW licenses to carry their concealed firearms on campus, and this bill will not take that decision-making power away from them. But if we are going to have an honest and complete discussion about classroom safety, we have to explore all feasible options. AB 202 is part of that conversation.
Assemblywoman Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, represents the 34th Assembly District. Another View presents a critical response to a previous editorial, column or news story.
Facebook
Twitter
Mobile
RSS
Most CommentedMost Popular
About two dozen protesters stood in front of Kern County Superior Court next to the Liberty Bell Thursday morning to make a statement about police brutality.
The death of a man in custody following a prolonged struggle with Kern County Sheriff's deputies and CHP officers and the subsequent fracas over confiscated witness cellphones have gained international attention and raised concerns here that the incidents could tarnish the county's emerging...
Sheriff’s investigators served a search warrant on Kern Medical Center and the Mary K. Shell Mental Health Center seeking medical records to find possible reasons for David Sal Silva’s behavior prior to and during his encounter with law enforcement, The Californian learned Friday.
The Kern County Sheriff's Office is out of control. That's one conclusion many people will draw based on the events of the past two weeks and in the context of recent years.
Blood stains are still visible on the sidewalk at the corner of Flower Street and Palm Drive, where a Bakersfield man struggled with as many as nine officers and later died this week.
Responding to what he called a case that “has consumed the media and our community,” Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said Tuesday he has asked the FBI to conduct a “parallel” investigation into the death of Bakersfield father of four David Sal Silva, who died May 8 after he was beaten by deputies.
Classes were canceled at Bakersfield High School Monday after three small bottle bomb explosions struck campus, authorities said.
Two cellphones confiscated last week from witnesses to the in-custody death of David Sal Silva were returned Wednesday to the attorney representing the witnesses.