NY Gov. Cuomo signs bill banning teachers from being armed

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill on Wednesday that bans teachers from being armed while they are on school property.

The armed teacher ban is part of a wave of new gun control legislation that has become law in the state, such as bans on “bump stock” and 3D-printed guns.

“The answer to the gun violence epidemic plaguing this country has never been and never will be more guns, and today we’re expanding New York’s nation-leading gun safety laws to further protect our children,” Cuomo said in a statement. “These measures will help slow the proliferation of guns by keeping unneeded firearms out of school zones and helping to ensure unwanted or illegal guns don’t fall into dangerous hands.”

The new law prevents school districts from being able to allow teachers to conceal carry on school grounds. Officers and security guards are still allowed to be armed. School districts in other states have established programs for school staff to undergo training and background checks before being allowed to be armed.

The debate over armed teachers has been ongoing in the aftermath of school shootings. Proponents say armed school staff can act as a deterrent and a final line of defense in case of an active shooter. President Trump has voiced his support for the idea after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

“Arming classroom teachers is dangerous and takes our focus off of getting weapons out of the hands of those who should not have them. I thank Gov. Cuomo for signing this vital piece of legislation — our children’s safety demands no less,” Democratic state Sen. Todd Kaminsky said.