Today, Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) joined hiscolleagues and members of the Minority Task Force on School Safety & Security at a press conference to call for more safety precautions to be taken to protect schools. After a series of forums around the state, the task force has recommended a series of changes to be enacted in order to keep children safe.

“I want to thank the task force members for their hard work. Protecting our children is one of the most noble goals one can have. As we have seen far too often, our children are targeted by evil monsters at the places where we leave them for hours at a time. We must do everything in our power to ensure our kids are safe,” said Smullen.

Specifically, Smullen and the task force are recommending the following changes be made: increased law enforcement presence at schools, addressing mental health issues in schools, open communications between stakeholders, innovative state support for school security and safety, identifying threats and providing support to at-risk students and hardening infrastructure at schools.

“The suggestions put forth today are common sense. Our schools are targeted because a shooter knows they will face no resistance once inside the building. Adding law enforcement presence in our schools will act as a deterrent to would-be shooters, as well as allow for a line of defense should a shooting occur. These ideas will accomplish the goal of making schools safer while also protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens,” concluded Smullen.