A recent Senate committee study advises increasing funding for campus security systems, promoting the state’s anonymous reporting mechanism to the general public, and hiring additional school marshals to stop shootings.
Senate Study
A Senate study on ways to make Texas schools safer following the shooting in Uvalde recommends that lawmakers increase funding for campus security, extend the school marshal program, and review truancy policies.
The special Senate committee also recommended that the state invest more resources into promoting an anonymous threat reporting service that just a few districts employ.
But only one new gun restriction was recommended – making straw purchases a state crime – and the senators remained divided on raising the age of purchase of assault-style weapons, such as the gun used by the 18-year-old gunman to carry out the massacre.
The group’s almost 100-page December report included suggestions on school safety, mental health, social media, police training, and weapon safety. The committee was formed after a shooter murdered 19 students and two teachers in Texas’ bloodiest school shooting.
When lawmakers return to Austin for the legislative session next month, the topic of how to stop another murder similar to the one at Robb Elementary is expected to dominate the conversation.
According to the article, state senators feel that major strategies should include funding to “harden” campuses, arming more personnel, and reevaluating how schools discipline students.
Firearm Safety
According to the story, Texas lawmakers are divided on bringing up the purchase age for assault-style weapons from 18 to 21.
A few days after turning 18, the adolescent shooter at Robb Elementary School bought a semi-automatic long gun. However, the study noted that there was “a notable lack of unanimity” among the committee members regarding any attempt to change the age requirement.
Instead, it suggests giving local law enforcement the power to pursue alleged straw transactions.
According to the committee’s recommendation, it should be illegal for a third party to buy guns for someone who is not allowed to possess them. Federal legislation already forbids the purchase of straws. However, the information given to the committee revealed that only around 2% of straw transactions are actually prosecuted by federal law enforcement.
