What is H.R. 133?
(Updated July 13, 2021)
This bill would remove the part of the federal criminal code
that makes it illegal to have or discharge a
firearm in a school zone. Under this act, bringing a gun to school would legally be a-okay.
H.R. 133 was introduced in response to the 2012 school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. The incident was deadliest mass shooting at a high school or grade school in the U.S., leaving 20 children and 6 adults dead.
The bill would give local governments the power to decide whether or not they want their school zones to be gun-free.
Argument in favor
Gun free zones prevent law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves, and create vulnerable populations that are targeted by criminals.
Argument opposed
Allowing guns into schools will not make them safer. Gun violence in schools won't stop until guns are completely out of the picture.
Impact
Students, teachers, administrators, parents, and others who frequent school zones.
Cost of H.R. 133
The CBO does not have a cost estimate at this time. If you look at the finances behind this bill, supporting groups include Campaign for Liberty, Firearms Policy Coalition, and the National Association for Gun Rights.
Additional Info
In Depth:
In support of his first bill, Sponsoring Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) noted:Professor of Public & Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, Paul Helmke wrote in opposition to guns in schools:"Gun free school zones are ineffective. They make people less safe by inviting criminals into target-rich, no-risk environments...Weapons bans and gun free zones are unconstitutional. They do not and cannot prevent criminals or the mentally ill from committing acts of violence. But they often prevent victims of such violence from protecting themselves."
"We need to be skeptical and concerned about having non-professionals (particularly those with other responsibilities like teaching, staffing or going to class) carrying loaded weapons in our schools. Even trained professionals hit their target only 20% of the time in shoot out situations. Do we really expect non-professionals to do better than this and not endanger more of our young people?"
Media:
Sponsoring Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) Press ReleaseMapLight
WFPL News
(Photo Credit: Wikipedia)
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