HARRISBURG, Pa. — Hundreds of voters are voicing their opinions as state lawmakers debate the issue of armed security in schools.
According to a recent poll by Franklin & Marshall College, 69% of voters favor having armed security personnel at all Pennsylvania schools. Another 73% believe having armed security will make schools safer for kids.
“I do think it’s a good idea to have some sort of security on school property, especially with the uptick in school shootings," said Emilee Kanode of New Cumberland.
The poll comes as the Pennsylvania State Senate Education Committee advanced a bill that would mandate that armed security be employed at all schools across the Commonwealth.
Republican Senator Mike Regan, who represents Cumberland and York Counties, first introduced Senate Bill 907 back in August.
“The people of Pennsylvania have spoken; they want to see this happen," said Senator Regan. “People are concerned about their kids and grandkids, and they want something to mitigate that. And that would be putting an armed, trained officer in every school.”
Critics of the bill argue that the measure would not do anything to help enhance school safety. One Cedar Cliff High School student worries the bill would make students feel less safe in school.
“A few resource officers are okay, but when you have cops with guns and stuff, it makes us feel like it’s not safe or something is about to happen," said Hegikyah Latini.
Other gun safety advocates argue state lawmakers should focus on passing ‘red flag laws’ and ‘safe storage laws.’
“We really need solutions that stop the violence, rather than react after lives are lost," said Adam Garber, a spokesman for Ceasefire PA.
Lawmakers and advocates alike believe more needs to be done to ensure a safe learning environment for students.
“Parents are looking for solutions and will do anything to keep their kids safe," said Garber.
“[If] kids can just worry about learning and not about outside influences, I think that’s a win for everyone," said Senator Regan.
SB 907 will now advance for a vote in the Pa. Senate.