Ga. lawmakers agree on some school safety measures, not on others
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - In September, Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns penned a letter with tangible suggestions to bolster school safety after a school shooting at Apalachee High School.
On Wednesday, he explained to reporters that technology improvements and mental health funding are critical but said he does not restrictions that could infringe upon Second Amendment protections.
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“I’ll tell you, first and foremost, that we will not impede the rights, Second Amendment rights of Georgians,” said Burns.
Rep. Michelle Au has two proposals that she has brought to the House this past year.
The Pediatric Health Safe Storage Act did not get a hearing. It would require that guns be secured in spaces where a minor might be present. It would be a misdemeanor if someone is found guilty, punishable by up to $5,000.
What we know about the victims of Apalachee High shooting
A 14-year-old Georgia high school student has been charged as an adult with using an assault-style rifle to kill two students and two teachers in the hallway outside his algebra classroom.
“How can a 14-year-old get access to a weapon like this in the first place that’s a very standard and normal question to ask and the second normal question to ask is how we can keep this from happening,” said Au.
Au also wants a bill to incentivize safe storage through tax credits. The bill ed unanimously out of the House last year. Burns said in a press conference on Wednesday he would the bill this year.
People in Barrow County are growing impatient. On Wednesday, a 14-year-old student at Apalachee High School was arrested for procession of a firearm.
911 calls released from Apalachee High School shooting
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Calls of worry, frustration and confusion rang through Barrow County 911 emergency dispatch as a Sept. 4 deadly shooting unfolded at Apalachee High School.
On Thursday, a group of students, family , and teachers protested outside of the State Board of Elections.
Sasha Contreras is a junior at Apalachee High School. Her sister, Layla Renee Contreras, started the Chee for Change group that has been asking Georgia lawmakers for more changes.
The Contreras sisters said there needs to be more funding for gun prevention measures and they Au’s Pediatric Safe Storage Bill.
“Democrats and Republicans need to come together to produce something tangible and meaningful for the sake of the students and the teachers. We need a statewide approach,” said Layla Renee.
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