MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota congressman who gets high marks from the National Rifle Association said he was dismayed with the gun lobby's proposal Friday to station armed police officers in every school across America, saying it would turn schools into armed camps.
Rep. Tim Walz, a former teacher and National Guard veteran, considers himself a staunch defender of the Second Amendment and gets straight A's from the NRA for his support on gun-rights issues. But the Democrat from Mankato said he has been rethinking his opposition to a ban on assault-style weapons and believes the country needs an open discussion about gun violence.
He told reporters during a conference call he was "deeply disappointed" by NRA chief lobbyist Wayne LaPierre's comments at a Washington news conference about last week's shooting rampage that killed 20 children and six educators at a Connecticut elementary school.
"I reject his pessimistic world view," said Walz, who taught geography and coached football at Mankato West High School before he was elected to Congress. "I refuse to believe that our schools have to become armed encampments where our children don't feel safe."
The NRA plan also drew flak from other Minnesota Democrats and leaders of the state's main teachers' union, Education Minnesota.
"No legal organization in America is more responsible than the NRA for lobbying to ensure the proliferation of killer guns while denying law enforcement tools to stop killers," Rep. Betty McCollum, whose district includes St. Paul, said in a statement. "Wayne LaPierre's call for guards and guns in every school building and playground is madness and a perverse vision for life in America."
Among Minnesota Republicans, Rep. Michele Bachman declined an interview. Rep. Erik Paulsen's spokesman did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
The dean of Minnesota's congressional delegation, Rep. Collin Peterson, who like Walz is an NRA-endorsed rural Democrat, was traveling and not immediately available, his spokeswoman said.
Walz noted that LaPierre took no questions at his news conference, calling it "a very odd way to start a national conversation."
The congressman also thought it was ironic that the NRA proposed an expensive new idea one day after efforts to avoid the automatic tax increases and spending cuts known as the "fiscal cliff" stalled out amid GOP disarray in the House.
Math teacher Julie Blaha said it seems like the NRA is coming up with ideas without speaking first with school administrators, teachers and people who specialize in school security — the people who would be among the most affected by the NRA's proposal.
Blaha, president of Education Minnesota's local affiliate for the state's largest school district — Anoka-Hennepin, in suburban Minneapolis — said the NRA should spend some time in schools before suggesting how to fix them.
"Their focus is on security and threats. Our focus is on building good relationships. Making sure that our students have the support and resources that they need," she said.
Blaha pointed out that there are more than 2,500 schools in Minnesota, so putting an armed police officer at each one would be prohibitively expensive.
"I do understand reactions like this to violence," she said. "It's tempting to grab a quick fix to feel safe again. It really is.
"But if we want to make a long-term preventative impact, let's look at adding a counselor, a school psychologist or a social worker to every school. Let's increase the number of community therapists available to our kids," she added. "Adding more mental health professionals to our schools will not only help us in these one in a million situations, but help us in the 999,000 others too."
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman also criticized the NRA's plan. The Democrat said the debate needs to include a ban on assault-style weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips, a better background check system, tougher penalties for illegal gun trafficking and outlawing "cop-killer" bullets.
"None of these solutions were offered by the NRA today, which means they've proven they have no interest in being part of this conversation that stops crimes like this from happening again," Coleman said in a statement.
Blaha was encouraged about one thing from the NRA's proposal: "I'm glad they didn't say anything about arming teachers," she said.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
Comments (71)
Add comment2012 is positive, into 2013...A few folks are short timers...
* William Todd Akin is the outgoing U.S. Representative for Missouri's 2nd congressional district, serving since 2001.
Born: July 5, 1947 (age 65), New York City
Spouse: Lulli Boe
Office: Representative (R-MO 2nd District) since 2001
Education: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Covenant Theological Seminary, John Burroughs School
* Richard Earl Mourdock is the 53rd treasurer of the state of Indiana, serving since February 10, 2007.
Born: October 8, 1951 (age 61), Wauseon
Spouse: Marilyn Mourdock
Office: Defeated in 2012 election
Education: Defiance College, Ball State University
Southie
Hmm Just what color were the states where these shooting's took place?? Screw loose ehh??
Red state mass shootings
Virginia Tech
Fort Hood, Texas
OFB...I was responding to Sadie's comment. It was not about schools or shootings, but about the intelligence of the voters. Did you go to school in the south?
And when we are all armed to protect ourselves against our "government tyrannical forces" will we look into the eyes of our neighbors who are policemen and national guardsmen and soldiers and pull the trigger?
I would rather pull the lever in the polling booth and vote the rascals out.
Some guns deaths/capita info., top 20 "worst"
#1, Mississippi
Gun deaths per 100,000: 18.3
Permissive gun laws: 4th out of 50
#2, Arizona
Gun deaths per 100,000: 15
Permissive gun laws: 1st out of 50
#3, Alaska
Gun deaths per 100,000: 17.6
Permissive gun laws: 11th out of 50
#4, Arkansas
Gun deaths per 100,000: 15.1
Permissive gun laws: 7th out of 50
#5, Louisiana
Gun deaths per 100,000: 19.9
Permissive gun laws: 23rd out of 50
#6, New Mexico
Gun deaths per 100,000: 15
Permissive gun laws: 6th out of 50
#7, Alabama
Gun deaths per 100,000: 17.6
Permissive gun laws: 27th out of 50
#8, Nevada
Gun deaths per 100,000: 16.2
Permissive gun laws: 22nd out of 50
#9, Montana
Gun deaths per 100,000: 14.5
Permissive gun laws: 10th out of 50
#10, Wyoming
Gun deaths per 100,000: 14.5
Permissive gun laws: 8th out of 50
#11, Kentucky
Gun deaths per 100,000: 14.4
Permissive gun laws: 5th out of 50
#12, West Virginia
Gun deaths per 100,000: 14.8
Permissive gun laws: 25th out of 50
#13, Tennessee
Gun deaths per 100,000: 15
Permissive gun laws: 31st out of 50
#14, Oklahoma
Gun deaths per 100,000: 13.4
Permissive gun laws: 17th out of 50
#15, Idaho
Gun deaths per 100,000: 12.5
Permissive gun laws: 2nd out of 50
#16, Georgia
Gun deaths per 100,000: 13.1
Permissive gun laws: 13th out of 50
#17, Missouri
Gun deaths per 100,000: 12.9
Permissive gun laws: 12th out of 50
#18, South Carolina
Gun deaths per 100,000: 13.4
Permissive gun laws: 20th out of 50
#19, North Carolina
Gun deaths per 100,000: 12.3
Permissive gun laws: 28th out of 50
#20, Florida
Gun deaths per 100,000: 12.5
Permissive gun laws: 41st out of 50
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/01/11/20-deadliest-gun-states...
SMTN, I'm thinking of the "guns 'n butts" quote from a commenter yesterday, something like, "everybody has one, but no one else wants to hear it" . . . some of your above "brain farts" leave me cold. I imagine you can find a bullet-shaped teething ring for a baby, and a sippy cup in the shape of a pistol, too. Where does it all end with the presumption that violence is required?
Oops, "opinion 'n butts" quote (not "guns 'n
butts" quote. Not everyone has a gun.)
Bubba
I think he is using humor to make a point.
southie, Fort Hood was a
terrorist attack by a devout Muslim, no matter what Obama's official cover-up says.
Eyolf, I was referring to your terrible fear of policemen. Your video and the headline for it made it seem that you were once again showing us a part of your growing up. Then you accuse me of not being honest. You don't jeep around with Lil' Cappy smoking pot until he falls out, do you?
The jack-booted thugs in this country sell the same guns to drug cartels that they want to take away from American citizens. Those thugs report to Obama's right hand man!
lendad, get smart.
SMTM is just "Do NoT Take My Guns" back from the DFL fold to spread disinformation and stir some people up.
southie, I also don't believe SML's comment
that the election was won by uninformed voters. I believe that the DFL Party and Barrak H. Obama made sure to inform every single freeloader in this country (legal citizen or not) that their gravey train would stop if they weren't reelected.
It's not hard to get off work to vote if you don't work.
I was asking
About school shooting's?? & I myself never call a college red.
I dont google so just the one's that have made the new's in the last few Yrs. Remember School's.
Possible, Southie, but it sounds EXACTLY like the folks
who are serious with same views. If it's a ruse, it's a good one! Sounds like my previous neighbors when we lived in AZ in the 90's. And they were not joking.
It is a libtard troll
and snow may be it.
F&B
Those 2 must be melting their computer's down trying to find what color the state was with the most school shooting's ehh?? It was a school shooting that started all this right??
Rep Walz and NRA
Rep. Walz needs to wake up. LaPierre is in touch with reality while the rest of our elected officials and public in general are in denial. If you think we can stop gun violence anywhere you are totally in denial. His idea to place officers at each school is a realistic one. However, I would suggest instead of police officers, how about National guard personnel? No matter what you do, you are not going to be able to stop anyone who is bent on destruction of life, but maybe you can minimize what might happen. Mental health issues need to be brought to the forefront and what we feed our minds on a daily basis. Fill your head with violence and garbage and that is what you are going to get back.
Does it really matter?
Pretty sure that VA Tech is a college that is in the state of VA
which would be considered a Blue state. They voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012. Does it matter?
Ft. Hood is not a school, but is a federal facility with really
dumb rules not letting the military have their guns with them.
Also, letting the terrorist stay on job with all the red flags.
Let us also remember the parents that kill their children.
Mental illness perhaps. 200 children a year killed by their
moms, so sad.
the Repubs are crazy
From the LA Times
Federal funds would be made available to deploy National Guard troops at schools under legislation introduced Wednesday by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) in response to last week’s mass slaying at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn.
The Save Our Schools Act would leave it to governors to decide whether to call out the National Guard and how to use troops around schools.
"Is it not part of the national defense to make sure that your children are safe?" Boxer said at Capitol Hill press conference.
Boxer also introduced the School Safety Enhancement Act, which would increase funding for a federal grants program, from $30 million to $50 million, to help fund school security measures, such as installation of metal detectors and surveillance cameras.
Southie
After I see you edited your post. Yes I did from here. 3&1/2 miles North of the cornbore border. 16 in my class & no we didnt go around shooting things up. NO computers or video games. We drove fast & took chances & made alot of girls parent's mad. Also for fun we would go & paint a cornbore's 500-1000 gal LP tank Gopher's color's. Man some of those Iowegian's can get mad!!!
southie
you said "And when we are all armed to protect ourselves against our "government tyrannical forces" will we look into the eyes of our neighbors who are policemen and national guardsmen and soldiers and pull the trigger? "
We won't have to worry about the National Guardsmen because it is military policy to make sure they are overseas and then the Reg. Army troops will not be sent to states they are from to "protect" the citizens. Talk to a real Vet. and get back to me with proof that's wrong, if you can.
You looney toons Lefters just want everything for free and won't wake up until it's too late.
CEO LaPierre has a history of anti-government rantings.
"In the wake of the the Oklahoma City bombing, LaPierre wrote a fundraising letter describing federal agents as "jack-booted government thugs" who wear "Nazi bucket helmets and black storm trooper uniforms." Former president George H. W. Bush was so outraged by the letter that he resigned his lifetime NRA membership. In response to growing criticism, LaPierre apologized, saying that he didn't intend to "paint all federal law-enforcement officials with the same broad brush."
(Wikipedia)
So will he use Sandy Hook to raise money for his lobbying group? The world will be watching this time.
Does his language sound familiar?
Hint: scroll up a dozen posts.
Jack-booted thug was used by
Jack-booted thug was used by EPA Chief, Lisa Jackson to
describe Republicans.(Nov. 2011).
It was used by Ted Nugent to describe the Federal raid on
Gibson Guitar.
There is such a thing as a jack-boot and of course, we know what a thug is. We could say to bully. It is also used to
describe union people when they trash a capital building.
Have you ever seen a picture of a house after the feds or state have raided it? It is a mess, broken stuff, papers all over, furniture kick over. That is thugery. No need to completely throw everything around and not put it back.
Especially distressing when it is the wrong place and the person is innocent.
President and CEO of the United States
Barrak Obama and his wife have a history of anti-American beliefs and actions.
Hint: Watch 2016 The Movie.
Do
Do you believe everything you see in the movies F&B? You must have really enjoyed Pee Wee's Big Adventure!
Govment thugs
When la Pierre talks about the thugs, I said to myself, "sir, you sure got that right, and don't I know it!". When I read what fair n balanced had to read, I said to myself, "here, here!". You are right sir! Let's face it without are weaponry the govment would come to take us over and try to give us money and food stamps and turn US into that 47% that Governor Romney so rightly hated! Well I hate them too! The "lazies" I call them. Trying to pawn off they're illnesses or disability to get my hard earned money and suck off the public trough!
As for the bubba yumbo rant on gun deaths don't u see that the dangerous states are the one's where we need more guns, to protection? Sir, you are mixing up your chickens with your eggs!
Time and again it is known that the more guns there are, the saifer we all are! As Thomas jefferson, give me my gun or give me death!
As for la Pierre he is a fine American and what we call a "good old boy". He is right we need a data base of the crazies. I thing they should have to wear a special bracelet no different than a diabetic but more dangerous. If you are a loony head case popping Prozac like are so-called "governor" (a well known pill popper) I have a right under the second and third amendment to know that. Wear you're loony ID badge so I knows to slip an extra clip or a few more rounds into my pocket (for protection).
SMTN
Aitkin
Well Nan,
at least DNTMG is on your side. That should be a great comfort to you.
So let me understand this,
all I have to do is give up my guns and all the violence will stop?
LLR
If you're a lib. YEP!!
Guns don't cause violence
People just don't get it. They thing that bullets kill and mame and so forth. Guns have nothing to do with why those babies were killed. They were killed by libs, and video games and a lack of prayer in school (real prayer to the true lord and america's god, Jesus).
You can get ride of all guns to,or row and it won't change cause that is the evil nature of Satan. Even without a gun that evil boy would have kilt them babies. The gun has NOTHING to do with it!
That is why we need protection from the libs, the democrat party, and they're agenda!
SMTN
Aitkin