Gun control, teacher groups threaten legal action against DeVos gun funding proposal

Source: The Hill



BY TAL AXELROD - 08/24/18 05:19 PM EDT

Gun control, teachers and civil rights groups on Friday released a joint press release threatening legal action against Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and the Department of Education over a controversial proposal to allow states to use federal funding to arm school staff.

Members of the coalition include the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, the American Federation of Teachers, the Southern Poverty Law Center and Democracy Forward.

“It is outrageous to think of using federal funds to buy guns for teachers at a time when underfunded schools can’t even afford school supplies. Everyone agrees that our schools should be safe, welcoming environments, but having educators do double duty as sharp shooters won’t make anyone safer,” Adam Skaggs, chief counsel for the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said in the release.

“We will fight this unlawful proposal to spend taxpayer dollars on guns for our kids’ classrooms every step of the way,” he added.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/news/403533-gun-control-teacher-groups-unite-against-possible-federal-funding-for-guns