CA Assembly Passes Gun Control Bill to Stop Teachers from Shooting Back

On Monday, lawmakers passed a gun control bill introduced by Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) to disarm teachers and staff who are currently allowed to carry guns for self-defense in California school districts.

Breitbart News reported earlier this year that that five California school districts currently allow concealed-carry weapon permit holders to carry on campus for self-defense are Kern High School District, Kingsburg Joint Union High School District, Folsom Cordova Unified School District, Anderson Union High School District, and Palo Cedro’s North Cow Creek School District

McCarty introduced his legislation, AB 424 in mid-February. On May 12, Breitbart News reported that he justified his push to disarm teachers by saying, “A safe learning environment is essential for our children to be successful in the classroom. That’s not possible if a school district allows armed civilians to roam California school campuses.”

McCarty did not differentiate between guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens at schools versus guns in the hands of criminals who will attack regardless of gun-free policies. Moreover, he did not list one crime committed by an armed teacher or staff member in the five California districts that allowed such personnel to be armed for defense of themselves and their students.

Instead, he pushed to create the same environment that existed in Sandy Hook Elementary on December 14, 2012, where a criminal rushed the school and unarmed teachers’ only defense was to call 911 and throw books, erasers, or computer screens at the attacker until police arrived.

The Associated Press reports that the California State Assembly passed McCarty’s measure by a vote of 43-23 on Monday. The bill now goes to the state Senate.

Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez (R-Lake Elsinore) voted against AB 424, according to the AP, saying it is “making a problem where there isn’t one.” She reportedly added: “Those who have been deemed responsible enough to have a (concealed-carry weapon) ought to be able to have one on school grounds if their school district allows it. It is not our responsibility to make that decision for them.”

AWR Hawkins is the Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and host of Bullets with AWR Hawkins, a Breitbart News podcast. He is also the political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com.