Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on reports that Secretary DeVos is considering allowing states to use a grant program in the Every Student Succeeds Act to purchase guns for teachers and educators.
“This is absurd and appalling. It’s not surprising that Secretary DeVos would have the gall to try to sneak guns into schools through a program intended to support students and provide academic enrichment opportunities, but I’m going to stand with students, teachers, and parents across the country to fight it.
When Republicans and Democrats came together to pass the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act, we were clear that these grants were intended to help foster safe, healthy, and supportive environments that improve student learning-not prop up the NRA and gun sales. Using these funds to add more firearms into schools is not only the opposite of what Congress intended, it is wrong and will make schools more dangerous and students less safe. It’s well past time Secretary DeVos stops bowing down to the gun lobby and starts following the law and listening to the parents and students she is supposed to be working for."
