Montana Moms Demand Action, Everytown Respond After Montana Senate Passes Dangerous Bill That Would Allow Schools to Arm Teachers

HELENA, Mont. – The Montana chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statement after the Montana Senate voted to pass HB 567, legislation that would pave the way to arming teachers in Montana. The legislation now heads to Governor Bullock’s desk to be signed or vetoed.

“Arming teachers puts our kids in harm’s way,” said Kiely Lammers, volunteer leader with the Montana chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “We’re all concerned about keeping our kids safe at school, but the reality is that arming school employees, including teachers, is risky. Instead of pushing dangerous policies, our lawmakers should focus on real, evidence-based solutions to gun violence, like Red Flag laws and background checks on all gun sales. We urge Governor Bullock to veto this reckless legislation.”

The legislation would create a new program that would allow any employee to become a school marshal and carry a firearm on school property, with no real limit on what type of employee would be eligible to become a marshal and therefore be allowed to carry a gun on school grounds.

Research indicates that arming teachers will make children less safe. For this reason, school safety experts, teachers and law enforcement officials across the country oppose arming teachers. The National Association of School Resource Officers, the largest organization of school-based law enforcement officers, also opposes arming teachers. More information about the risks of arming teachers, as well as proven strategies for improving school safety, is available in a new report from Everytown, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association.