School security officers; carrying a firearm. (HB1234)

Introduced By

Del. Scott Lingamfelter (R-Woodbridge) with support from co-patrons Del. Mark Cole (R-Fredericksburg), and Del. Steve Landes (R-Weyers Cave)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

School security officers; carrying a firearm. Authorizes a school security officer to carry a firearm in the performance of his duties if he is a retired law-enforcement officer and the local school board grants him the authority to carry a firearm in the performance of his duties. Read the Bill »

Status

04/06/2016: vetoed by governor

History

DateAction
01/19/2016Committee
01/19/2016Presented and ordered printed 16104073D
01/19/2016Referred to Committee on Education
02/03/2016Assigned to sub: Elementary and Secondary Education
02/03/2016Assigned Education sub: Elementary and Secondary Education
02/08/2016Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 2-N)
02/10/2016Reported from Education (16-Y 6-N) (see vote tally)
02/11/2016Read first time
02/12/2016Read second time and engrossed
02/15/2016Read third time and passed House (66-Y 33-N)
02/15/2016VOTE: PASSAGE (66-Y 33-N) (see vote tally)
02/16/2016Constitutional reading dispensed
02/16/2016Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
02/24/2016Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (9-Y 6-N) (see vote tally)
02/26/2016Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/29/2016Read third time
02/29/2016Reading of amendments waived
02/29/2016Committee amendments agreed to
02/29/2016Pending question ordered (31-Y 6-N 1-A) (see vote tally)
02/29/2016Passed Senate with amendments (24-Y 14-N) (see vote tally)
03/01/2016Placed on Calendar
03/02/2016Senate amendments agreed to by House (66-Y 32-N)
03/02/2016VOTE: ADOPTION (66-Y 32-N) (see vote tally)
03/03/2016Enrolled
03/03/2016Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1234ER)
03/03/2016Signed by Speaker
03/06/2016Signed by President
03/07/2016Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on 3/7/2016
03/07/2016G Governor's Action Deadline Midnight, Sunday, April 10, 2016
04/06/2016G Vetoed by Governor
04/20/2016Placed on Calendar
04/20/2016Pending question ordered
04/20/2016House sustained Governor's veto (66-Y 34-N)
04/20/2016VOTE: OVERRIDE GOVERNOR'S VETO (66-Y 34-N)
04/20/2016Requires 67 afirmative votes to override Governor's veto

Video

This bill was discussed on the floor of the General Assembly. Below is all of the video that we have of that discussion, 3 clips in all, totaling 36 minutes.

Transcript

This is a transcript of the video clips in which this bill is discussed.



Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): THANK YOU, SENATOR. THE QUESTION IS SHALL HOUSE BILL 1096 PASS. ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION WILLS AYE, THOSE OPPOSED NO. ARE THE SENATORS READY TO VOTE? HAVE ALL THE SENATORS VOTED? DO ANY SENATORS DESIRE TO CH ANGE THEIR VOTE? THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL.

[Unknown]: AYES. 21, NOS 17. AYES 21, NOS 17. THE BILL PASSES. HOUSE BILL 1234. A BILL RELATING TO SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICERS CARRYING A FIREARM. REPORTED FROM THE COMMITTEE FOR COURTS OF JUSTICE WITH AMENDMENT. THE SENATOR FROM ROCKINGHAM. MR. PRESIDENT, I MOVE THAT THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS BE AGREED TO. THE REQUEST HE IS SHALL THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS BE AGREED TO. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. THE AYES HAVE IT. THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS ARE AGREED TO. THE SENATOR FROM ROCKINGHAM. MR. PRESIDENT, I MOVE THAT THE BILL PASS AND SPEAKING TO THE BILL. WHAT THIS DOSE IS IT PERMITS LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO RETAIN TO HIRE SECURITY OFFICERS THE BILL RIGHTS THAT THE SECURITY OFFICERS HIRED UNDER THE PROVISION BE ORMER MITTS THEM TO HIRE RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ONLY OBVIOUSLY AT THE DISCRETION OF THE SCHOOL BOARD. THE SCHOOL WARD HAS TO MAKE THE DETERMINATION THAT UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT IT IS FACED WITH THAT IT IS APPROPRIATE. SCHOOL BOARD IS GOING TO BE THE ONE MAKING THE PERSONNEL DECISION ABOUT WHO IT WANTS TO HIRE BUT ONCE IT MAKES THE DETERMINATION AND HIRES THE PERSON, OUR RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER MAKES IT CLEAR THAT THEY CAN POSSESS A FIREARM PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE NOT OTHERWISE PROHIBITED FROM POSSESSING FIREARM. AND BEFORE ANYBODY HYPER VENTILATES OVER THIS BILL, THIS DOESN'T PUT ARMED PERSONNEL IN SCHOOLS AROUND THE STATE. THIS SIM YUM GIVES SCHOOL DIVISIONS FLEXIBILITY AS TO HOW IT IS GOING TO PROVIDE IN SCHOOL SECURITY. CAN MAKE THAT DETERMINATION IN CONSULTATION WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. THANK YOU, SENATOR. THE SENATOR FROM WESTERN FAIRFAX, SENATOR MARSDEN. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. RISE WITH CONCERNS ABOUT THE BILL. THE ISSUE HERE I THINK IS NOT ONE THAT OFFICERS NEED TO TECHNICALLY BE TRAINED IN HOW TO OPERATE THEIR FIREARMS. I DON'T HAVE ANY CONCERN IN THAT AREA. BUT THIS IS A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO BE IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL AS OPPOSED TO SPENDING A CAREER IN A CRUISER IF THEY ARE PERHAPS A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER. AND THE ENOTIONALLY CHARGED -- EMOTIONALLY CHARGED ENVIRONMENTS THAT CAN EXIST IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE NONSENSE THAT GOES ON AMONGST STUDENTS, PEOPLE ARE PRONE TO OVERREACT. I HAVE SEEN IT. I HAVE OPERATED JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITIES AND SEEN BETWEEN WELL TRAINED EMPLOYEES OVERREACT PHYSICALLY. TO HAVE A GUN ON YOU TRAINING IN THE PAST MAY HAVE INDUVIAT KATEED ONE RESPONSE WITH THE GUN TO DOING IT IN THE SCHOOL THE RESPONSE NEEDED IS VERY DIFFERENT IS OF CONCERN TO ME. THE GRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR SECURITY OFFICERS ARE MINIMAL AT BEST. WILL IS NO TRAINING MERE IN CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND DE-ESCALATION AND SOMETIMES WHEN YOU HAVE A HAMMER ALL PROBLEMS BEGIN TO LOOK LIKE NAILS AND I THINK THIS IS OF CONCERN. IT NO OTHER SECURITY OFFICERS ARE GOING TO BE ARM I DON'T THINK THAT HAVING SOMEBODY WHO TECHNICAL KNOWS HOW TO OPERATE A WEAPON WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OVER THAT. I THINK WE NEED TO KEEP GUNS OUT OF SCHOOLS AND I URGE YOU TO VOTE AGAINST THE BILL. THE SENATOR FROM ARE LING AR, SENATOR FAVOLA. SPEAK TO THE BILL. THE SENATOR HAS THE FLOOR. I UNDERSTAND THE BILL IS WELL INTENTIONED BUT I, TOO, HAVE SOME CONCERNS. I JUST THINK THE GROUP SHOULD KNOW THAT GOVERNOR MCDONALD AFTER THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TRAGEDY SET UP A TASK FORCE TO LOOK ATTENTIONS FOR KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN THE SCHOOLS AND THE TASK FORCE CAME UP WITH QUOTES THEY REVIEWED THE POLICY OF ARMING SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICERS AND NOTED IN THE REPORTS THAT THERE ARE SERIOUS SAFETY AND LIKE IMPLICATIONS WHICH I THINK IS AN INTERESTING POINT THAT THE SCOLIOSIS TEMPTS WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH. YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THE SCHOOL OFFICERS ARE CIVILIAN SO THEY HAVEN'T BEEN TRAINED IN HOW TO DE-ESCALATE A SITUATION AND HAVEN'T BEEN TRAINED IN WORKING WITH A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE, I GUESS I AM ASSOCIATING MYSELF WITH COMMENTS FROM MY SENATOR FROM FAIRFAX, SENATOR MARSDEN. ALTHOUGH THIS MIGHT BE WELL INTENTIONED I THINK IT JUST NEEDS FURTHER WORK. I WOULD ASK THAT WE DEFEAT THE MEASURE AT THIS POINT. THE SENIOR SENATOR, SENIOR SASLAW. THESE ARE RETIRED POLICE OFFICER, NOT UNTRAINED THE REASON I VOTE THE FOR THIS, CIVILIANS. I WOULD RATHER THEM HAVE THIS OPTION THAN RENT A COPS TO BE HONEST WITH YOU. I DON'T KNOW -- I DON'T -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER CHOICE THEY WOULD HAVE IN SOME AREAS WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE A SUPPLY OF POLICE OFFICERS INTERESTED IN DOING THIS. THAT IS PROBABLY WHAT WE WOULD WIND UP DOING. OR THEY WOULD WIND UP DOING. SO IF I HADN'T -- BUT, YOU KNOW AND I UNDERAND IT, NOW YOU KNOW THERE IS ALWAYS A LIABILITY PROBLEM BUT THE HIGH SCHOOLS AT EAST IN ANIARY DO HAVE OF THE RESOURCE OFFICERS. AND WHAT THIS WOULD DO IS OPEN IT UP TO THE RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS WHO I QUITE FRANKLY HAVE A LOT MORE FAITH IN THEM THAN I DO THE RENT A COPS. THANK YOU, SENATOR. THE JUNIOR SENATOR FROM LOUDOUN, SENATOR WEXTON. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. SPEAKING TO THE BILL. THE SENATOR HAS THE FLOOR. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I WASN'T GOING TO SPEAK TO THE BILL UNTIL THE SENIOR SENATOR FROM FAIRFAX GOT UP AND TALKED ABOUT HOW HE WOULD RATHER HAVE THE POLICE OFFICERS OR THE RETIRED OFFICERS CARRYING FIREARMS IN SCHOOL. BUT THIS BILL WHILE WELL INTENTIONED DOESN'T MAKE ANY DISTINCTION BETWEEN POLICE OFFICERS WHO RETIRED A YEAR AGO, SIX MONTHS O AGO OR 20 YEARS AGO AND THAT IS A LONG PERIOD OF TIME TO GO WITHOUT ANY KIND OF TRAINING. I AM A BIG FAN OF THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM. WE HAVE THEM ACTUALLY IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN LOUDOUN COUNTY. MY 13-YEAR-OLD WAS TELLING ME LAST NIGHT AT CONDITIONER HE IS DINNER HE IS FONDOF OFFICER BEND EATS LUNCH WITH THEM AND IS A GREAT ROLE MODEL. THE SRO PROGRAM THE OFFICERS GO THROUGH TRAINING. PROFICIENCY IS GREAT. SROs GO THROUGH THE KIND OF TRAINING FIREARMS CRITICAL THINKING TRAINING, USE OF FORCE TRAINING, HOW TO DEAL WITH JUVENILE TRAINING. THE SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICERS WHO BASICALLY ARE RENT A COPS DON'T GO THROUGH ANY OF THAT SORT OF TRAINING. I THINK WHILE THIS BILL MAY HAVE BEEN WELL INTENTIONED IT IS A VERY SLIPLY HOPE TO KEEPING OUR KIDS LESS SAFE AND I WOULD URGE THE BODY TO VOTE AGAINST IT. I WOULD PASS THE BILL AND ASSOCIATE MY REMARKS TO THE FROM FAIRFAX WHICH IS UNUSUAL. IT IS TRUE THAT THESE ARE RETEARED POLICE OFFICERS AND THIS IS A SITUATION TO WHERE YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHETHER IT HAS BEEN A YEAR AGO, WHETHER IT HAS BEEN 15 YEARS ON THE FORCE, THEY GO THROUGH A TRAINING ACADEMY AND GO THROUGH LIABILITY ISSUES AND IS THERE A SECURITY OFFICER FOR A SCHOOL, THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE THE SAME TRAINING OR GO THROUGH SCENARIOS WITH THE SROs AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT EVEN THOUGH I SUPPORT SROs, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF IS IF YOU DO HAVE AN ATTACK AND SOMEONE BROUGHT UP SANDY HOOK AND HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH THEN GOVERNOR MacDONALD THE SROs ARE UNIFORM. THEY ARE THERE IN UNIFORM AND SOMEONE WHO IS WANTING TO MAKE AN ATTACK ON A SCHOOL OR ANYWHERE ELSE THAT IS THE FIRST PERSON THAT THEY ARE GOING TO GO AFTER AND THEY ARE IDENTIFIED BY THE UNIFORM THEY HAVE ON. A SECURITY PERSON WITHIN THE SCHOOL ARE NOTIDENTIFIED AS THAT AND THEY COULD BE THE LAST STEP AGAINST THE THREAT COMING AGAINST THAT SCHOOL. SO I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD SUPPORT IN WILL. THANK YOU, SENATOR. THE SENATOR FROM BUCKINGHAM, SENATOR GARRETT. WOULD THE JUNIOR SENATOR FROM LOUDOUN YIELD FOR A QUESTION. WOULD THE JUNIOR SENATOR FROM LOUDOUN YIELD FOR A QUESTION. I WOULD YIELD. SHE SHE YIELDS. COULD SHE NAME A SING THE INSTANCE WHERE A SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICER'S GUN WAS USED TO HARM A CHILD. THE JUNIOR SENATOR FROM I CAN NAME NO SUCH INSURANCE LOUDOUN. STANCE, MR. PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, SENATOR. THE SENATOR FROM FAIRFAX, SENATOR SASLAW. NUMBER ONE, THE BILL IS VOLUNTARY. THE SCHOOLS DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS. THEY CAN KEEP DOING WHATEVER THEY ARE DOING NOW. WE ARE NOT IMPOSING OUR WILL, JUST SAYING THAT IF YOU WANT TO HIRE THESE, YOU CAN. AND THE OTHER THING THAT SENATOR FROM THE JUNIOR SENATOR FROM LOUDOUN I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS THE CORRECT TERMINOLOGY, SENATOR WEXTON I APOLOGIZE IF I GOT YOU IN THE WRONG PLACE, BUT ANYWAY, TRUST ME, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WHO HAS BEEN RETIRED 15-20 YEARS FROM THE POLICE FORCE AND WHILE I WASN'T A POLICE MAN, I COULDN'T SEE SOMEBODY IN MY AGE CATEGORY WANTING TO DO THAT TWO HOURS A DAY OR EVEN ONE HOUR A DAY. YOU WILL DISCOVER THIS IN ANOTHER 25, 30 YEARS. THE BILL IS -- IT LIKE I SAID IT IS VOLUNTARY. THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT. GIVES THEM A BETTER CHOICE IF THEY GOT WHAT THEY SUSPECT MAY BE A SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE COVERED, I WOULD RATHER HAVE THEM USING A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER THAN A RENT A COP. THANK YOU, SENATOR. THE SENIOR SENATOR FROM VIRGINIA BEACH, SENATOR WAGNER. I MOVE THE PENDING QUESTION. THE PENDING QUESTION HAS BEEN CALLED. ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION WILLR VOTES AYE, THOSE OPPOSED NO. ARE THE SENATORS READY TO VOTE? HAVE ALL THE SENATORS VOTED? DO ANY SENATORS DESIRE TO CH ANGE THEIR VOTE? THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL. AYES 3 IS, NOS 6. >> NOS 31, NOS 6. THE MOTION CARRIES. THE QUESTION IS SHALL HOUSE BILL 1234 PASS. ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION WILLS AYE, THOSE OPPOSED NO. ARE THE SENATORS READY TO VOTE? HAVE ALL THE SENATORS VOTED? DO ANY SENATORS DESIRE TO CH ANGE
29TH.

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): GENTLEMAN FROM PRINCE WILLIAM, MR. LINGMAFELTER.

[Unknown]: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THE SENATE AMENDMENTS AMEND THE BILL WE PASSED HERE THAT PERMITS LOCALITIES TO HIRE RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO BE SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICERS AND IF RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT MAY AUTHORIZE THEM TO CARRY A FIREARM IN PROTECTION OF A SCHOOL. WHAT THE SENATE AMENDMENTS DO, IF YOU DIDN'T LIKE THE BILL, IT'S BETTER FOR YOU. WHAT THE SENATE AMENDMENT S DO IS REQUIRE SUCH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER PARTICIPATE IN FIREARMS TRAINING AND TESTING THAT MEETS THE STANDARDS TO CARRY JUST AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WOULD DO IN MANY OF THEM AND MANY DO THESE ANYWAY TO CARRY FIREARMS ACROSS STATE LINES. THE SECOND AMENDMENT PROPOSED IF ANYONE COULD NOT QUALIFY TO BE THIS SORT OF PERSON. I THINK IT MAKES THE BILL BETTER. I MOVE THE BILL PASS.

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): SHALL THE HOUSE AGREE TO THE SENATE AMENDMENTS? CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL.

[Unknown]: SENATE AMENDMENTS ARE AGREED TO.
IREARM. >> HE IS NOT PROHIBITED FROM POSSESSING A FIREARM. AND MR. SPEAKER, I'VE BEEN DOWN HERE A WHILE. AND THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE WHO HAVE BROUGHT BILLS TO ME. FOR PEOPLE TO CARRY FIREARMS IN SCHOOLS FOR PROTECTION. ARM SCHOOLTEACHERS. FOR PROTECTION. AND THEY KNOW THAT THAT IS NOT MY PREFERENCE. I DON'T HI THAT IS THE BEST SOLUTION TO DETER THE UNTHINKABLE IN THE SCHOOL. THE RIGHT DECISION IS A TRAINED KNOWS HOW TO HANDLE A FIREARM. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO IN A FLUID, AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS BILL THAT I BROUGHT THIS YEAR IS DESIGNED TO GIVE THIS BODY AND THE NEXT A LEGITIMATE, SAFE, AND THOUGHTFUL ALTERNATIVE. THIS BILL CREATES A VERY HIGH STANDARD AND INCORPORATES ALL OF THE PRECAUTIONS NEEDED TO ENSURE OUR CHILDREN ARE SAFE AND TEACHERS THAT TEACH THEM IN OUR SCHOOLS. THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER HAS IS REQUIRED AND A RECOVERING TRAINING REQUIREMENT IS PRESENT. AND THIS WILL WILL INCREASE THE LEVEL OF SECURITY FOR OUR KIDS. RIGHT NOW, IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THIS. AS YOU GET READY TO VOTE. CURRENTLY, ONLY SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, THOSE FOLKS ARE ARMED POLICE OFFICERS OR DEPUTIES WHO WORK FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ARE ON THE PAYROLL OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THEY'RE THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN CARRY A FIREARM IN A SCHOOL. AND ARE NOT EMPLOYEES OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO IS SAY SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICERS WHO ARE EMPLOYEES CAN DO THAT IF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM SAYS IT'S ALL RIGHT. THIS BILL GIVES NEEDED FLEXIBILITY THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH RESOURCE OFFICERS. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH. THIS BILL GIVES A LOCAL OPTION FOR SCHOOLS TO MAKE A DECISION THAT IS BEST FOR THEM. NOT A STATE MANDATE. A GOVERNOR'S VETO STATEMENT MAKES NO SENSE. IT'S AS IF HE NEVER READ IT. HE MAKES THE POINT THAT UNDER THE LAW, SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICERS DO NOT RECEIVE TRAINING REGARDING FIREARMS AND APPROPRIATE USE OF FORCE WITHOUT APPROPRIATE TRAINING WOULD CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS LESS, RATHER THAN MORE. HE ACKNOWLEDGES WHAT THE BILL IS DESIGNED TO FIX. TO HIRE PROFESSIONALS. IN THIS CASE, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND ENSURE THEY'RE TRAINED FOR THE JOB. THEN, HE SAYS THERE IS NOT A DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, RETIRED IF ANOTHER STATE. AGAIN, THIS WOULD BE A LOCAL DECISION AND THE GOVERNOR'S POINT. HE SAID IN A STATEMENT WE MUST DO ALL WE CAN TO KEEP VIRGINIA ALL WE CAN IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT ONLY TRAINED LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE ALLOWED TO CARRY FIREARMS IN SCHOOLS. BY HIRING LAW ENFORCEMENT IT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE GOVERNOR AND SCHOOL CHILDREN OF THE COMMON WEALTH, THIS VETO WILL ENDANGER OUR KIDS. OFFICERS AND THEY DIDN'T READ I AM MOVED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM SHENANDOAH AND I HOPE WE REMEMBER THEM. I THINK WE KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. THIS VETO YOU SHOULD NOTE IT'S DONE IN INDELIBLE INK. IF THERE ARE LIVES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED BY THIS BILL, PEOPLE WILL LOOK BACK AT THIS LEGISLATION, RIGHTFULLY, AND YOUR VOTE TODAY, THEY MAY ASK YOU A QUESTION. WHY DIDN'T THESE POLITICIANS ACT? LET'S BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY AND SCHOOL SAFETY TODAY AND REJECT THE GOVERNOR'S VETO. THIS BILL IS HOUSE BILL 1234. DESIGNED TO PROTECT 6, 7, 8, 9, 11. 10. TRULY, YOU NEED TO STAND WITH TEACHERS TODAY. I ASK YOU TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO. GENTLE WOMAN FROM FAIRFAX, MISS FILLER-CORN. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TO SPEAK TO THIS MOTION. GENTLE WOMAN HAS THE FLOOR. I'D LIKE TO START BY SAYING OUR GOVERNOR DID READ TO BILL. HE READ IT VERY, VERY CAREFULLY. MANY OF US HERE ARE PARENTS, OR GRANDPARENTS, AND THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE THEIR OWN CHILDREN ARE PROBABLY GOD PARENTS, OR AUNTS AND UNCLES. REGARDLESS OF OUR PARTY, WHERE WE COME FROM, AROUND THE COMMON WEALTH, WE'RE UNITED BY A GOAL. TO KEEP THE COMMONWEALTH SAFE. AND IMPORTANTLY, KEEP ALL OF OUR CHILDREN, SAFE. AND WE PRAY TO AN END TO THIS HORRIBLE, TERRIBLE GUN VIOLENCE TA GRIPS OUR COUNTRY TODAY. WE COLLECTIVELY SHED TEARS FOR COLUMBINE, SANDY HOOK, AND FAR TOO MANY OTHER TRAGEDIES. HAVING SAID THIS BILL IS COUNTER PRODUCTIVE, AND COUNTER INTUITIVE, ADDING MORE GUNS TO THE SCHOOLS. THIS BILL WOULD ADD LESS, WOULD MAKE OUR SCHOOLS LESS SAFE. OUR KIDS LESS PROTECTED. THIS BILL IS COUNTER INTUITIVE. THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICERS AND SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS. SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS ARE EMPLOYEES OF A LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WHO ARE DETAILED TO OUR SCHOOLS AND PERMITTED TO CARRY FIREARMS IN THE COURSE OF THEIR DUTIES. THESE RESOURCE OFFICERS RECEIVE SIGNIFICANT TRAINING. SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICERS ARE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES AND AT TIMES DO NOT RECEIVE TRAINING REGARDING FIREARMS OR APPROPRIATE USE OF FORCE. FURTHER MORE, THIS BILL, HB 1234 DOES NOT DISTINGUISH BETWEEN DIFFERING STATE TRAINING AND DIFFERING LENGTHS OF SERVICE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE UNIFORMITY OF FIREARMS TRAINING WHICH IS THIS BILL, FURTHER EXPOSES IN IMPORTANT. TURN, OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR PRECIOUS CHILDREN TO UNNECESSARY RISK AND POTENTIAL HARM BY ALLOWING PEOPLE OFTEN WITHOUT ADEQUATE TRAINING TO CARRY FIREARMS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS AROUND OUR CHILDREN. I HOPE IT WILL BE THE WILL OF THEED ABOUT YES TO VOTE NO AND SUSTAIN THE GOVERNOR'S VETO. MR. GILBERT? THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. SPEAKING TO THE VETO.

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): GENTLEMAN HAS THE FLOOR.

[Unknown]: MR. SPEAKER, I HOPE THE BODY HEARD WHAT HOUSE DEMOCRATS ISSUE IS ON THIS BILL. THAT HOUSE DEMOCRATS DECIDE NOT TO TRUST CAREERED LAW MEN TO GUARD OUR CHILDREN IN THEIR SCHOOLS. MRGS -- MR. SPEAKER, I KNOW THE SAME THING ABOUT THIS BILL AND THE LAST BILL WHICH IS THAT THE ANTIGUN AGENDA TO WHICH THEY'RE DEFERRING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN. HOW CAN YOU LOOK AT THIS ANY OTHER WAY? THESE ARE PEOPLE, AND I HOPE THAT THE GENTLEMAN FROM MANASSAS CHIMES IN HERE, THEY SPENT THEIR CAREER CHASING BAD GUYS, HE CAN TRAINED MORE AND MORE, EVERY YEAR. THEY DON'T WORK UNTIL THEY'RE 70. BECAUSE THEY'RE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHEN THEY RETIRE. AFTER SANDY HOOK, THIS IDEA TOOK HOLD AS A POSSIBLE WAY, TO ADDRESS NOT ONLY OUR NEEDS TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS, BUT THESE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS NEED WORK IN THEIR RETIREMENT, IT'S A PERFECT FIT FOR THEM. IT'S A WAY OUR SCHOOLS CAN HAVE A MUCH MORE COST EFFECTIVE WAY OF PROTECTING THE CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS JUST AS WELL, OR BETTER THAN HAVING A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER THERE. NO SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER MAY BE FRESH OUT OF THE ACADEMY. THEY FUNNEL THEM INTO THE SCHOOLS. YOU GET FOLKS IN THE BEGINNING AND END OF THEIR CAREERS. SO ARE WE SAFER THAN SOME ROOKIE? WE HAVE TO PAY RETIREMENT, BENEFITS, SALARY? IS THAT A BETTER FIT? THAN THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN, OR HAVE A RETIRED OFFICER, SEASONED WHO KNOWS ALL OF THE THINGS, KNOWS ABOUT THE THINGS THAT THE GOVERNOR APPEARS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. AND THEY STILL HAVE TO GET TRAINED EVERY YEAR. NOW DON'T THEY KNOW HOW TO DO THIS? DON'T WE TRUST THEM TO DO THAT? OF COURSE. BUT LOGIC IS OUT OF THE WINDOW. SCHOOL SAFETY IS NOT AS IMPORTANT. AND AS LONG AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LOGIC, THE GENTLE WOMAN SAID THE GOVERNOR READ THE BILL. DID HE READ ONE THAT IS SIGNED INTO LAW THAT MANY PEOPLE VOLT VOTED FOR THAT SAYS JUDGES CAN CARRY A GUN INTO A SCHOOL? WITHOUT TRAINING, WITHOUT SOMEBODY CHECKING ON THEM, A JUDGE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE A ROBE, THE GOVERNOR THINKS THAT PERSON, IN SIGNING THAT BILL, THAT THE JUDGE IS PERFECTLY QUALIFIED. SO IF THE JUDGE HAS A SON OR DAUGHTER IN A BASKETBALL GAME, HE CAN WEAR A GUN INTO A GAME. IF A JUDGE COMES TO TALK TO A CLASS, HE CAN WEAR A GUN INTO SCHOOL. BUT A LAWMAN CAN'T DO THAT. 30 YEARS CAN'T DO THAT. MAKES NO SENSE. THE ANTIGUN AGENDA IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN OUR CHILDRENS' SAFETY IN THIS REGARD. THAT IS A SHAME. THAT IS SAD. I THINK THE GOVERNOR DISREGARDED LOGIC AND ACCURACY. ONE REASON IS THAT SOMEONE COULD BE FROM ANOTHER STATE WHERE THEY HAVE DIFFERENT TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AND IT COULD BE UNSAFE. THE GOVERNOR SHOULD KNOW THE REFERENCE IN THE BILL REFERS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, PEOPLE WHO ENFORCE THE LAWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH. SO WHEN WRITING THESE THINGS NOT ONLY IMPORTANT TO BE LOGICAL AND REASONED BUT ACCURATE. AND THERE ARE LOTS OF FOLKS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE WHO VOTED FOR THIS JUDGE BILL. VOTED TO LET JUDGES CARRY FIREARMS INTO SCHOOLS WITHOUT A TRAINING OR PERMIT. AND THEY'RE ABOUT TO VOTE AGAINST LETTING SEASONED, CAREER POLICE OFFICERS PROTECT OUR KIDS. I'D LIKE TO WRITE THAT MAIL, SWIRLING IN MY HEAD, WHAT THAT MAIL PIECE LOOKS LIKE. DO THE RIGHT THING.

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): GENTLEMAN FROM FAIRFAX, MR. SIMON.

Del. Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church): MR. SPEAKER, SPEAKING TO THE GOVERNOR'S VETO.

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): GENTLEMAN HAS THE FLOOR.

Del. Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church): THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE, I WAS NOT PLANNING TO GETS UP ON THIS BILL. I WASN'T ASKED TO SPEAK ON THIS. I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD. BUT SAT THROUGH THE LAST TWO SPEECHES FROM GENTLEMAN FROM I KNOW OUR VOTES ARE THE ANSWER, BUT I CAN'T LET THAT SIT OUT THAT WE SOMEHOW CARE ABOUT A SECRET AGENDA THAN SCHOOL I CAN'T LET THAT OUT THERE AS A CHILDREN. PARENT OF A 13-YEAR-OLD AND A 10-YEAR-OLD WHO GO TO SCHOOL SHAN -- SHENANDOAH. EVERY DAY, I CAN'T, LET THAT OUT THERE. IT TO THE ABOUT LOGIC BUT MATH, PROBABILITY AND UNDERSTANDING NUMBERS. OKAY? I CARE ABOUT MY CHILDRENS' SAFETY AND THE CHILDREN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. I KNOW THAT FIREARMS ARE THE THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG CHILDREN. IT'S AN ESTIMATE AND WE CAN'T GET ACCURATE INFORMATION BECAUSE THE NRA WON'T LET THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STUDY THESE THINGS. THEY'RE AFRAID WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD AN AGENDA. WHAT ABOUT TRIGGER LOCKS? SMART GUN TECHNOLOGY? ALL OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL SHOOTINGS THAT HAPPEN EVERY DAY? THEY HAPPEN TO THE CHILDREN OF GUN ENTHUSIASTS AND PEOPLE FIND A GUN IN THE PLACES IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE. WE CARE ABOUT THOSE THINGS AND CARE DEEPLY ABOUT CHILDRENS' SAFETY. I HOPE WE SUSTAIN THE GOVERNOR'S VETO. >> MR. ORROCK.

[Unknown]: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE, AS I HAVE HEARD THE DISCUSSIONS, PLAY OUT HERE THIS AFTERNOON, I DON'T BELIEVE ANYONE IN THIS BODY IS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN. HOWEVER, I DO AGREE WITH THE ARGUMENTS THAT FOLKS AREN'T LOOKING AT IT LOGICALLY. BECAUSE AS A SCHOOLTEACHER, WE'RE TOLD THE LOGIC OF A TERROR THREAT IS THAT A TERRORIST KNOWS THEY'VE GOT ONE GUN TO TAKE OUT, THEN, THEY'VE GOT TO SOFT TARGET AND AT LEAST FOR MORE RURAL SCHOOL DIVISION, 10-20 MINUTES BEFORE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS GOING TO BE ON THE SCREEN. IF YOU ENACT THIS LEGISLATION, YOU'RE TELLING EVERY TERRORIST THREAT THAT SOFT TARGET ISN'T AS SOFT AS IT WAS. IF NO SCHOOL SYSTEM IMPLEMENTS THIS, YOU'RE CREATING A DOUBT AMONG THE TERRORIST COMMUNITY. I DON'T KNOW WHICH RESOURCE OFFICER MIGHTING ARMED AND WHICH ISN'T. I KNOW A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER IS MY FIRST TARGET. BUT NOW, I DON'T KNOW. NOW, I'VE GOT TWO PEOPLE TO CHURCH OUT. AND DOUBLE THE POTENTIAL OF NOT BEING SUCCESSFUL IN MY TERRORIST I HOPE IT BE THE PLEASURE OF THE AMBITION. BODY TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO.

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): THE GENTLEMAN FROM FREDERICK, MR. COLLINS.

Del. Chris Collins (R-Winchester): MR. SPEAKER, I'LL BE QUICK. AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO DID SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROTECTIONS IN SCHOOLS, THE RESOURCES ARE AWFULLY THIN FOR PLACE DEPARTMENTS. WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OFFICERS TO PUT INTO SCHOOL SYSTEMS. MAYBE ONE POLICE OFFICER. AND WHEN WE GOT BACK FROM SESSION I SAT IN WITH THE DESIGN OF A NEW SCHOOL IN A RURAL AREA, TALKING ABOUT THE SECURITY SYSTEM, AND HOW LONG IT WOULD BE TAKE TO BE COMPLETED. THE IDEA HOPEFULLY, THE POLICE WOULD ARRIVE P TIME BECAUSE WE TO NOT HAVE A FULL TIME RESOURCE OFFICER FOR THE SCHOOL. I ASKED THEM ABOUT HAVING ARMED SECURITY GUARDS THEY SAID THEY'RE OKAY WITH THAT. THEY'RE A RURAL AREA. IF THERE IS A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE TRAINED IN FIREARMS. THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. NOT TALKING ABOUT PUTTING GUYS IN CAMOUFLAGE WITH M-60s OUT FRONT IN HUMVEES. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYED BY THE SCHOOLS, RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WE'RE HAVING SCHOOLS DESIGNED TO TRY TO DEFEAT INDIVIDUALS COMING INTO THE SCHOOL. BUT IT'S A DELAY TACTIC. SO, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY.

[Unknown]: MR. WARE.

Del. Chris Collins (R-Winchester): MR. SPEAKER, I RISE FOR A MOTION.

Del. Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg): GENTLEMAN HAS THE FLOOR.

[Unknown]: I MOVE THE PENDING QUESTION.