White House: Say NO to NRA Proposal for More Armed Guards in Schools

Petition Background

In the weeks following the tragic events in Newtown, Connecticut, a number of advocates, including the National Rifle Association, have called for more armed guards or police officers in public schools. While school safety is our highest priority, past experiences have taught us that police in schools do not increase safety, nor do they catch early indicators of mental health needs, identify root and underlying causes of violence, or use the resources of law enforcement in an effective way. Instead of addressing serious threats to safety, police in schools often respond to minor student misbehavior by handcuffing, arresting and criminalizing the young people they were intended to protect. This results in lower academic performance, lower graduation rates and higher numbers of dropouts. Contact with the juvenile justice system can have long-lasting consequences for young people, following them when applying for college, the military or a job.

As Vice President Joe Biden’s task force on gun violence develops policy recommendations in response to the attack in Newtown and gun violence more generally, now is the time to speak up. Sign this petition to tell the White House not to embrace proposals to put more armed guards and police in schools.