Teachers Urge Congress to Approve 'Common-Sense Gun Laws'

Congress could provide no better gift to teachers on National Teacher Day than the immediate passage of common-sense gun laws. That was the message of a bi-partisan news conference held Tuesday (May 9, 2000) in the nation's capital.

Teacher Day, which falls this year on May 9, is normally marked by students giving apples to teachers. This year, teachers are asking Congress for common-sense gun laws.

Joining National Education Association (NEA) President Bob Chase at the news conference were two educators whose lives have been forever changed by gun violence.

Republican and Democratic House members hosted the news conference to commend the NEA members for their courage and dedication to children.

"Today, on behalf of the entire NEA education family – teachers, secretaries, bus drivers, teachers aides, school security personnel, cafeteria workers, and custodians – we are calling on Congress to stand up for our students and for all children," said Chase. "No more delays. No more excuses. The time has come for every lawmaker to put kids and their safety first."

Chase joined Arlene Thomas, a school law enforcement officer at Camden High School in Camden, New Jersey – a school site in the midst of a high crime neighborhood – and Andy Pope, a high school history and geography teacher who was shot in the chest by a student with a 22-caliber handgun.

"The shooting occurred in front of a class of 6th graders, and they were victims, too," said Pope. "We cannot take for granted the safety of our schools. I stand with my NEA colleagues to implore Congress to act on common-sense measures to protect children from guns and to increase support for children and education."

"As a school security officer, I know that metal detectors alone are not the answer," said Thomas. "Kids have many ways to go around detectors. We need to stop the guns from getting into their hands in the first place."

Pope, Thomas and 1,600 NEA members from all 50 states signed a full-page ad in the Washington Post, imploring Congress to take immediate action to protect children. The vast display of educator support for child protection from guns would not fit in the advertisement, and NEA has posted additional names on its website at www.nea.org.

The ad demands that Congress take the following action to protect children:

• Require locks or other safety devices on all guns.
• Ban the sale of semiautomatic assault rifles.
• Stop the sale and importation of high-capacity ammunition clips.
• Require mandatory background checks.
• Prohibit handgun possession by those under 21.
• Establish tip lines for students to alert adults about potential violence.

In addition, a letter will be sent to every member of Congress, signed by the country's leading education groups, calling for this common-sense legislation.

"We've found ourselves learning about crisis communications, grief counseling, and emotional first aid to prevent post-traumatic stress disorders," said Chase. "But, for all our work, we know that it alone cannot solve the problems of a society that is awash in guns. Nothing we can do alone can stop a bullet. That's why we're calling on Congress to get real about protecting our kids. Act now. None of us should have to go to another child's funeral."

The five U.S. House members who hosted the news conference included Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Mike Castle (R-DE), Connie Morella (R-MD), Nita Lowey (D-NY), and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY).

Posted May 9, 2000