STATEMENT: Giffords Responds to News That Trump Administration Considering a Proposal to Arm Teachers at Schools

Washington, DC — Giffords, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, responded to reports that the Trump Administration is considering a proposal to allow states to use federal funds to arm teachers.

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Giffords co-founder:

“Teachers do many things. They lead, they inspire, they encourage, and they help children discover their passions. Teachers are not bodyguards. The President’s notion that we can make kids feel safe by allowing more teachers to walk around with guns is absurd – and dangerous. Arming teachers is not a solution. It recklessly puts American children in even more danger.

“We can forge a better path. It’s time for Americans to find the courage to take on the powerful and fight for our own safety. The President might only listen to the special interests who say shootings and gun violence are acts of evil beyond our ability to control. They are not. Americans from across the country are calling on Congress to pass effective laws that protect our children and stop dangerous people from accessing guns. But Congress has refused to act so this year we will elect leaders that will.

“This November, we all must vote. We must vote for leaders with courage because teachers don’t want to carry a gun, students are afraid to go to school, and too many people suffer from the nation’s gun violence crisis. We are going to bring gun safety champions to Congress that understand the foolishness of a proposal like this and will have the courage to pass stronger gun laws.”

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