In response to the latest school shootings on Feb. 14, Senator Fred Akshar (R-52) will be holding “School Safety Summits, the first of which is scheduled on Feb. 26. Governor Andrew Cuomo as well as two Tioga County school superintendents have also offered comments about safety in our schools. (File Photo / JoAnn R. Walter)
In response to the latest school shootings on Feb. 14, carried out by a 19-year-old gunman in Parkland, Fla., Senator Fred Akshar (R-52) and Governor Andrew Cuomo issued press releases last week calling for action in New York State. The Valentine’s Day incident took the lives of 17 students and teachers.
School Safety
Akshar announced that he would be holding a series of “School Safety Summits” with local superintendents, teachers, students and law enforcement. The Senator’s goal is to identify school safety needs and to ensure the safety of local students.
Akshar explained in a press release, “In light of last week’s horrific shooting in Parkland, Florida, it is incumbent upon our community to bring our local stakeholders together and make sure we’re doing everything we can to protect our children from these violent tragedies that have become all too common.”
The Senator added, “Our educators and local law enforcement do an incredible job every day keeping our kids safe. But, as state senator, it’s important for me to listen to their needs, take that message to Albany and do what I can to help make their jobs easier.”
Akshar also stated whether it is assistance through additional funding, legislation or emergency plans, he is prepared to discuss every aspect, and said, “Everything is on the table. I’m here to listen, assess and to act.”
Pictured, an area resident attends a gun safety class in Owego, N.Y. (File photo / JoAnn R. Walter)
The first meeting, scheduled for Feb. 26, will bring together local school administrators and law enforcement agencies in a round table setting to discuss current school security measures as well as identify and assess any additional needs. Akshar also plans to meet with local teachers and students in the coming weeks.
The SAFE Act and copycat threats
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo also released a statement last week, stating, “Once again, this nation sheds its tears for young lives cut short by senseless gun violence. But tears are not enough.”
Cuomo added, in the release, “How many more children must die before this nation acts? How many more times must we grieve before politicians put the safety of their communities before the financial contributions of special interest groups?”
Cuomo explained that in the aftermath of Sandy Hook, New York did more than send thoughts and prayers.
He stated, “We stepped up to pass the strongest gun safety legislation in the nation. The SAFE Act didn’t affect sportsmen, hunters or legal gun owners – but it reduced the risk to our children, to our families and to our communities. It banned assault weapons like AR-15s and kept guns out of the hands of dangerously mentally ill people. It’s far past time that the rest of the nation follows suit.”
In addition, Governor Cuomo issued a second statement last week regarding copycat threats in upstate New York schools.
Pictured, an area resident attends a gun safety class in Owego, N.Y. (File photo / JoAnn R. Walter)
In the statement, Cuomo explained that three students said they would bring guns to school and threatened violence in the Chautauqua Lake School District and the Randolph Academy in Cattaraugus County. Both students were taken into police custody, and with State Police presence, the schools were functioning after a brief closure on the morning of Feb. 16.
Cuomo explained, in that press release, that while the emotion, facts, and consequences of yet another brutal gun attack continue to be processed; we must take a firm stand against any ‘copycat’ actors.
He stated, “The State of New York has no tolerance for threats of violence in our school system. They will be handled immediately and aggressively. There are serious legal consequences for any person posing a threat whether or not they intend to actually execute upon that threat. A student should know there is nothing humorous about these situations and the consequences are most severe.”
Police presence at schools
Cuomo further explained, and out of an abundance of caution, that he would order the State Police to increase its patrols around schools statewide.
Governor Cuomo’s office also shared a transcript from an appearance he made on Spectrum-Buffalo last week.
When asked about how long the increase of police presence would be in force statewide, Governor Cuomo replied, “We’re going to watch how it goes. We’re on increased alert, and we’re reaching out to school administrators to take every threat seriously.”
School Security
The Owego Pennysaver reached out to a couple of the school districts in Tioga County for comment.
Dr. David Hamilton, superintendent of the Tioga Central School District, stated, “We are posting a statement on our website regarding safety and security. You can be sure that we are constantly updating our preparations based on the most current research and recommendations.”
Dr. Hamilton also shared that he will be attending Senator Akshar’s meeting on Feb. 26 and looks forward to meeting with colleagues in the region to see what more can be done to ensure the safety of students.
Owego-Apalachin Superintendent Corey Green shared that the District’s number one goal is to ensure that students and staff are kept safe. The District has detailed safety and security procedures in place and is continuing to follow current safety protocols, as well as reviewing the protocols with staff and law enforcement.
Green further shared, “We also prepare students and staff with required safety drills and typically have law enforcement walk through our buildings,” adding, “Most recently there has been an increased presence.”
Green commented that the District has had a few concerns due to the latest events and said, “Our staff and administration do a great job of addressing them.”
Green plans to attend Senator Akshar’s Safety Summit and commented, “I spoke to him recently and we will be working closely together on this initiative.”
Green explained that the District will go to a vote next year for future building project updates, which will include safety and security items. Green stated that the District currently has $1.7 million in SMART School funds that can be used to update and improve the District’s security systems.
Gun Laws and the Constitution
The latest school shooting in Parkland, Fla. not only raised concerns about safety and security in our schools; it has fueled conversation and debates about gun laws in New York and throughout the United States.
In addition to Senator Akshar’s announcement that he will be holding a series of “School Safety Summits” with educators and law enforcement, Governor Andrew Cuomo also issued a series of press releases that are calling for “new action.”
In his press release, Governor Cuomo talked more about the SAFE Act, and further stated, “The SAFE Act banned assault weapons like AR-15s and kept guns out of the hands of dangerously mentally ill people,” adding, “It’s far past time that the rest of the nation follows suit.”
Governor Cuomo’s office also shared a transcript from an appearance he made on Spectrum-Buffalo last week.
One question the Governor was asked, “What do you think needs to be done as this situation continues to happen over and over again?”
The Governor replied, “The problem with this situation is it’s so politically charged. One group says this is a mental health issue and it has nothing to do with guns. The other group says no, it’s about the guns and we have to eliminate guns.”
Cuomo emphasized, “No legal owner has been deprived of a gun and no person who can pass a background check has been deprived of a gun,” adding, “I believe we’ve made a significant difference.”
The Owego Pennysaver also reached out to Glenn Hopler, chairman of Tioga County SCOPE (Shooters Committee on Political Education), specifically regarding Governor Cuomo’s comments.
Hopler explained that it is SCOPE’s position that the SAFE Act was passed under the cover of darkness and with no public input, and is in turn unconstitutional on many levels.
Hopler stated, “There is not a judge in the entire Northeast with the fortitude to uphold his or her oath of office and declare this law null and void.”
Hopler further explained that public safety is not improved when law-abiding citizens are restricted from particular types of firearms. Hopler said that the public has nothing to fear from law-abiding gun owners, and that individuals should be able to have the most effective means of protecting themselves from criminals and the mentally ill.
Hopler also shared that it is his personal opinion, that, “The Founding Fathers fought a war to gain independence from a tyrannical government. Under British rule, attempts were made (and they sometimes succeeded) to disarm the colonists. After the war, the Founding Fathers codified our right to keep and bear arms in the Bill of Rights, noting that our rights are not granted by governments, but by Nature and Nature’s God. The government does not have rights, only the powers granted to it under the Constitution. And when the people’s rights are restricted, the people’s rights are infringed.”
Hopler urges everyone to vote in upcoming elections, in an effort to turn out of office those who have acted to restrict rights.
Hopler also invites interested individuals to attend the next Tioga County SCOPE meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 14, in the Legislative Conference Room of the Tioga County Office Building located on Main Street in Owego. The meeting, set for 7 p.m., will include elections for positions within the SCOPE group, so members are encouraged to attend.
Gun Coalition Established
Meanwhile in Albany, Governor Cuomo, Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, and Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announced the formation of a new “States for Gun Safety” coalition to combat gun violence.
The four states have entered into an agreement to create a multi-state database that will share information on firearms and law enforcement efforts, and which will also supplement the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) database. The new multi-state coalition will also trace and intercept firearms to stop flow of out-of-state guns.
In addition, the nation’s first regional Gun Violence Research Consortium will conduct studies to better inform policy makers. Made up of designated institutions of higher education, the group will be comprised of public health, social welfare, public policy and criminal justice experts. The Consortium is being developed to fill the void left by the federal government’s ban on the use of federal funds to study gun violence.
Governor Cuomo stated in a Feb. 22 press release, “Here in New York, we’re proud to be home to the nation’s strongest gun safety law. However, the federal government’s continued inaction on this issue has not only allowed the epidemic of gun violence to spread, but it has actually prevented laws like the New York SAFE Act from being fully effective.”
Cuomo further added, “Rather than wait for the federal government to pass responsible gun safety legislation, New York is joining with New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island to take matters into our own hands. Not only will this groundbreaking partnership take new steps to prevent illegal guns from crossing state lines, we will be able to better inform policymakers nationwide on how to keep their communities safe.”
According to the press release, the four state coalition will share information about individuals who are prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm within each state, which can more effectively prevent certain individuals from purchasing a gun, obtaining a weapon and/or getting a gun permit. In accordance with federal and state privacy protections, the agreement will provide state law enforcement agencies with details on the firearm purchase or permit denials for those who are disqualified.
Cited in the press release, as disqualifications, are arrest warrants and orders of protection, along with debilitating mental health conditions or a criminal history.
The press release also stated that the lack of federal regulations preventing individuals from purchasing guns in other states and transporting them across borders has undermined state legislation. The four states plan to direct their law enforcement intelligence centers to work cooperatively to trace the use of out-of-state guns in crimes and share information in order to intercept criminals transporting illegal guns across state borders.
Going forward, the four states announced they will work to push the federal government to adopt common sense gun safety measures, which includes enacting universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, and a federal waiting period between the purchase and delivery of guns.
For more information on this, visit www.governor.ny.gov.
Be the first to comment on "School safety and the gun debate"