Arkansas considers guns at schools
01/23/2001 Associated Press LITTLE ROCK, Ark The Dallas Morning News
Days after the House approved a measure allowing guns in public parks
and restaurants, an even more controversial measure is on the table:
allowing guns on school property.
Both bills were offered by Rep. Randy Minton, R-Ward. He says people
with concealed-weapons permits have proved to be the “most responsible”
residents.
Mr. Minton plans to bring the gun measure to the House Education
Committee on Tuesday.
Mr. Minton says that permit holders have earned the right to carry
weapons and that it’s a hassle for those who drop off their kids at school
but have weapons in their cars.
“These are our model citizens. It’s an inconvenience for those who
travel,” Mr. Minton said.
In a state where memories of the Jonesboro school shooting are still
fresh, others say guns don’t belong anywhere near schools.
“We want guns as far away from schools as possible,” said Linda
Pondexter, president of the Arkansas Education Association, which opposes
the bill. “We understand people can make mistakes, but mistakes can end in
death.”
Rep. Tracy Steele, D-North Little Rock, added: “I don’t think the way
to solve problems in a violent community is with violence.
There’s a chance that too many innocent people can be hurt.”
Rep. Dean Elliott, R-Maumelle, said he hadn’t made up his mind on the
issue, but “I don’t know that there’s a lot of support for Representative
Minton’s bill.”
The bill says that those with concealed-weapons permits can tote guns
onto school property.
The Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators has safety
concerns and opposes the bill as it stands.
“We feel it’s not appropriate under any conditions to have a gun on
school property,” assistant director Charles Knox said.
Mr. Minton said he would narrow the legislation to allow weapons only
in vehicles as parents drop off their kids and require that the weapons not
be removed from the vehicles.