New York Moms Demand Action, Everytown Applaud Governor Cuomo for Signing Legislation to Prohibit Arming Teachers

NEW YORK — The New York chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded Governor Cuomo for signing legislation to prohibit arming teachers and other staff in K-12 schools. This signing follows several other common-sense gun bills becoming law this week, including legislation to close the Charleston loophole, prohibit undetectable guns and bumps stocks.

“New York has once again set an example for other states on how to keep our families safe,” said June Rubin, a volunteer with the New York chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “No parent should have to worry about sending their kids to a classroom where there’s a gun. We’re grateful to the governor and our elected officials for enacting this common-sense measure and recognizing that arming teachers is not a solution to gun violence in schools.”

Arming teachers is not an effective strategy for preventing gun violence in schools. To the contrary, research casts significant doubt on the ability of teachers to stop active shooters. This year, Everytown for Gun Safety, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association released a report with recommendations of evidence-based strategies to keep schools safe without arming teachers.