Republicans in the state Senate Wednesday proposed putting armed officers outside New York schools to help prevent shooting massacres by a crazed gunman.
“More money for security cameras and the hardening of school doors. The resources necessary to put a cop or an armed resource officer in every school that wants one,” Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan said in a statement laying out the GOP plan.
“Panic buttons and active shooter drills. Better emergency response plans and greater coordination by law enforcement at all levels. And, a much stronger response to the mental health issues at the heart of much of this violence. Every responsible option is on the table, and wherever we think we can make a difference, we will act,” Flanagan said.
Brooklyn Sen. Felder, a Democrat who caucuses with the Republicans, has advocated stationing armed guards outside all city public schools even before the latest shooting in Florida.
Mayor de Blasio dismissed the idea as impractical after estimating it would cost $1.2 billion.
Flanagan’s statement was a counter-punch to four specific gun control safety measures advanced Wednesday by Senate Democrats as hostile amendments attached to other bills scheduled to be taken up in chambers.
Flanagan said the GOP will advance its proposals “as early as next week” and was silent on the Democratic plans.
Senate Democrats proposed a “Red Alert” bill that would allow courts to take away a disturbed person’s guns at the request of family member or law enforcement.
Other Democratic measures would beef up background checks, ban bump stocks and create a New York State Firearm Research Institute.
The dueling proposals come two weeks after 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people.
Flanagan vowed the Senate will act.
“Every New Yorker and every American is outraged by the senseless violence that is occurring in schools throughout the country. It is unacceptable and must be stopped,” he said.
“Perhaps every parent’s greatest fear is sending their child off to school and he or she not returning safely into their loving arms at the end of the day. I know it was mine. That is why we must act swiftly and decisively to implement additional school safety measures in school buildings throughout our state. Schools must be safe havens, where students can learn and teachers can teach. In New York, they will be.”