Photo Courtesy of Assemblyman Barnwell’s Office
“If Congress will not act, the states must,” Assemblyman Barnwell said.
By Michael V. Cusenza
A borough elected official last Thursday introduced legislation in Albany that will establish a commission to examine how to make schools in New York safer in the age of the active shooter.
Assemblyman Brian Barnwell (D-Maspeth) indicated that the purpose of the Make Our Schools Safer Commission is to study the various technologies that could be implemented to help prevent/reduce such situations. Some of the technologies include, but are not limited to, bulletproof glass and doors, auto-locking technologies, lockdown systems, and barricades.
According to the legislation, the commission will be composed of 10 members: two members appointed by the governor; two members appointed by the speaker of the Assembly; two members appointed by the minority leader of the Assembly; two members appointed by the temporary president of the State Senate; and two members appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. The commission would be chaired by a person chosen by a majority vote at the panel’s first meeting. The vice-chairperson would be appointed by the chairperson.
Barnwell also acknowledged that the commission must look into the feasibility and cost of implementing safety programs in Empire State schools.
“Enough is enough. Our children are under attack,” the assemblyman added. “This common-sense legislation will bring together pertinent individuals to study the effectiveness of different technologies that could be implemented in schools to eliminate and/or reduce casualties in a school shooter or bomber event. We cannot wait any longer for change. We must protect our children. If Congress will not act, the states must.”
