WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4909, the Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act of 2018, which provides funding for violence prevention training, improved school security technology, and greater coordination with law enforcement.
“This bill, offered by my Thin Blue Line brother Congressman Rutherford, a retired Sheriff, is a step in the right direction as we work to change the culture surrounding school safety. A need still exists for comprehensive data regarding which security assets are deployed at each of the 95,000-plus public schools in America, and further, tactical training standards for school security must be established. I have introduced legislation which provides that data, which should be used to direct any funding and resources allocated by Congress. We can then empower schools and local law enforcement officers with the resources and tactical training required to protect our kids and teachers. This effort to harden schools from potential threats is ongoing, and I will continue to engage in this fight for reform measures that ensure school safety while preserving the Constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans.”
Congressman Higgins has introduced H.R. 5242, the School Resource Officer Assessment Act of 2018, and H.R. 5243, the School Watch and Training (SWAT) Act of 2018, two bills which examine and strengthen school safety standards across the nation.
