Education Minnesota responds to NRA proposals for school security
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ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 21, 2012 – Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher responded Friday to the National Rifle Association’s proposals for changing the security procedures in the nation’s schools.
“The vicious attack at Newtown has prompted the NRA and other groups to suggest responses for that one-in-a-million day when a gunman walks on to the school grounds, but we’re not talking enough about identifying and treating the mental illness that turns kids into killers,” Dooher said. “We need to improve the mental health infrastructure for Minnesota students by reducing one of the worst counselor-to-student ratios in the United States, hiring more psychologists and social workers and improving access to community-based therapists.”
“Educators believe the solution to gun violence in schools cannot be to put more guns in schools,” Dooher said. “However, if we, as a nation, decide there is no other way, educators agree those weapons should be in the hands of trained police officers.”
About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota represents 70,000 professionals working together for excellence in education for all students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and educational support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EducationMN.
December 21, 2012