Politics & Government

AFT Urges Michigan Gov. Snyder to Veto Gun-in-Schools Bill

In the wake of Sandy Hook, Brighton and Hartland residents speak out regarding a bill that will allow concealed firearms in schools and other locations.

On December 14, a 20-year-old gunman walked into the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT and killed 26 people, including 20 children and then took his own life.

Also on Friday, the Michigan Legislature approved a bill allowing those with additional training to carry concealed weapons into venues such as schools, day care centers, churches and sport stadiums.

The American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and AFT Michigan President David Hecker urged Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Sunday to veto legislation that would allow concealed firearms in schools and other locations due to the tragedy in Newtown, according to a press release.

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“Firearms have absolutely no place in our schools—the Dec. 14, 2012, tragic massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., is a chilling and heartbreaking reminder of this,” the press release stated. “Twenty innocent young children have been robbed of their lives, many shot multiple times. Six public servants, who were trying to save these children, were murdered in an environment that should be considered a safe sanctuary for students, educators and school visitors.

"We’ve witnessed other horrendous tragedies in our lifetime involving gunfire at schools and universities with devastating consequences—32 innocent people cut down at Virginia Tech, 16 murdered at the University of Texas at Austin, and 13 students and faculty executed at Columbine High School.” 

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Brighton Patch reader and teacher Carrie Wilheim commented on the story regarding the proposed legislation on Friday.

“As a teacher, and speaking with my colleagues on this matter, we do not want guns brought into our school,” Wilheim wrote. “As John M mentioned, how are we to know if a person with a gun is "just carrying" or there to do us harm? Also, John C, I can assure you, I will not be packing a gun as I teach the 4 year olds in my class. The entire idea makes me VERY uncomfortable.”

Fellow teacher, John Bayerl, commented on the Hartland Patch Facebook page also disagreeing with the bill.

“As a teacher (not in Hartland) I'll offer this: I have seniors in class turning 18 in January. One of them is serving his THiRD suspension for fighting this semester. However he has a "clean" criminal record. This law would allow him to legally carry a gun to school,” Bayerl wrote. “This is so far past a bad idea.”

Many other parents and residents, however, agreed with the bill. 

“Ask the parents of those children who died,” Steve Matschikowski wrote on the Hartland Patch Facebook page. “If a licensed adult with a hangun might have made a difference ... I think it's a simple yes sign the bill please.”

Should Snyder sign the bill? What do you think?


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