On the heels of another U.S. school shooting that left seven people dead last week in Tennessee, legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) would establish a $900 million grant program to improve security at America’s public and private schools.
“I am beyond heartbroken at the shooting that occurred at the Covenant School in Nashville,” Sen. Blackburn said. “No parent should have to endure what these families are experiencing. Schools should be places where children are safe to learn, play, and be children.”
Funds under the Securing Aid for Every (SAFE) School Act, S. 1107, could be used to train and hire United States military veterans and former law enforcement officers as school safety officers, hire off-duty law enforcement officers, and provide funding to harden schools and increase physical security, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Blackburn’s office.
S. 1107, which Sen. Blackburn sponsored on March 30 alongside original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN), also would permit schools to utilize funding to increase training for teachers, enhance the physical security of the school, conduct threat assessments, and purchase equipment for school safety officers, the summary says.
“My legislation with Sen. Hagerty will allow both public and private schools to train and hire veterans and former law enforcement officers to serve as school safety officers, as well as increase physical security measures to harden schools,” said Sen. Blackburn. “By providing these critical funds, we can help protect our precious children and secure our schools.”
The SAFE School Act is supported by Tennessee leaders, school safety advocates, and veterans, along with local, state and federal law enforcement organizations, including Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, Jackson (TN) Mayor Scott Conger, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the National Police Association, and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, among many others.
“The heroic bravery of law enforcement officers and first responders who quickly ran into danger, as well as the actions of teachers, staff, and students who deployed security measures, saved many other lives and underscore the critical role of school-security planning and personnel in the face of depraved, evil acts,” said Sen. Hagerty. “That’s why I’ve joined Sen. Blackburn in introducing this legislation to provide additional security resources to keep our schools and children safe.”