Parents Reporting Ownership of Guns to Schools
By: Rae Paterson
Updated: February 4, 2013
CARL JUNCTION, MO.--- A new bill introduced by Missouri Democratic Senator, Maria Chappelle-Nadal, could require parents to notify their child's school if they own a firearm.
If a parent fails to mention the possession of a weapon within 30 days of enrolling their child in school. They could be charged and fined up to $1,000 and 1 year in the county jail. Local Senator, Ron Richard, tells us there's a lot of talk about passing new gun laws, but this proposal has gone too far.
"If someone wanted to conceal and carry, a teacher or an administrator, they have that right anyway, the ability to do so through their local school board, but this legislation has no chance at all," says Ron Richard, Missouri Senator.
The bill is intended to keep school safe, but Carl Junction Superintendent Doctor Phil Cook believes school is actually one of the safest places for a child.
"I don't hesitate to send my children to school. I know it's a safe place to be, with people who are real concerned about their well being," says Dr. Phil Cook, Carl Junction Superintendent.
However, to reassure parents their kids are protected from harm, Dr. Cook is taking extra steps to secure his hallways.
"Maybe putting some barriers in hallways so visitors to our buildings have to go straight into our office, and don't have an opportunity to wonder down a hallway," says Dr. Cook.
Dr. Cook says despite rumors, his district has no intention of asking parents to turn in a list of any kind.
"The one we haven't consider is asking our parents to tell us if they have guns or not," says Dr. Cook.
Senator Richard says that he wants schools to be safe, but he doesn't believe this is the right way to go about education safety. This bill has only been introduced to lawmakers in the state senate and no decision has been made.
If a parent fails to mention the possession of a weapon within 30 days of enrolling their child in school. They could be charged and fined up to $1,000 and 1 year in the county jail. Local Senator, Ron Richard, tells us there's a lot of talk about passing new gun laws, but this proposal has gone too far.
"If someone wanted to conceal and carry, a teacher or an administrator, they have that right anyway, the ability to do so through their local school board, but this legislation has no chance at all," says Ron Richard, Missouri Senator.
The bill is intended to keep school safe, but Carl Junction Superintendent Doctor Phil Cook believes school is actually one of the safest places for a child.
"I don't hesitate to send my children to school. I know it's a safe place to be, with people who are real concerned about their well being," says Dr. Phil Cook, Carl Junction Superintendent.
However, to reassure parents their kids are protected from harm, Dr. Cook is taking extra steps to secure his hallways.
"Maybe putting some barriers in hallways so visitors to our buildings have to go straight into our office, and don't have an opportunity to wonder down a hallway," says Dr. Cook.
Dr. Cook says despite rumors, his district has no intention of asking parents to turn in a list of any kind.
"The one we haven't consider is asking our parents to tell us if they have guns or not," says Dr. Cook.
Senator Richard says that he wants schools to be safe, but he doesn't believe this is the right way to go about education safety. This bill has only been introduced to lawmakers in the state senate and no decision has been made.
