Senator Van De Wege opposed Senate Bill 6622 proposing concealed-carry permits for willing school personnel to protect students and themselves.
Van De Wege opined, “The vast majority of state teachers, school administrators, and parents, and state residents” oppose arming school staff.
Where’s that survey?
Van De Wege thought the $5 million training cost for staff, “is going to be a tough sell.”
Does that “vast majority” also oppose armed SRO (school resource officer) protection?
Washington state expects a $1.3 billion state surplus.
On a 49-48 vote, Democrats (24th District included) defeated an amendment to the state’s 2018 supplemental operating budget seeking $30 million to provide more SROs in schools, according to House Republicans.
Does just one armed school resource officer [police officer] for eight Port Angeles School District schools provide adequate protection?
Just some Washington state 2017-2019 expenditures given priority over defending schools against armed killers are:
Class size reduction, $484.6 million; enhancing fishing opportunities, $2.3 million; protecting and restoring salmon and steelhead, $20.4 million; Aquatic Invasive Species Management, $3.5 million; state hatchery system improvements, $70.2 million; minimizing possible wolf recovery conflicts, $1.5 million, according to the state Office of Financial Management.
Ironically, Democrats deny the school students and staffs the right to self-defense and reject $30 million for their minimal defense against psychopathic killers.
Beyond pathetic.
School Gun-Free Zones signs announce, “here we are, defenseless, sitting ducks.”
Maybe Democrats heedless of their first responsibility — to safeguard lives, especially lives of defenseless children — would like gun-free zone signs in their front yards?
Susan Shotthafer,
Port Angeles