Feinstein Statement on White House School Safety Plan

Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today issued the following statement in response to the White House’s “school safety” plan:

            “President Trump has completely caved to the gun lobby. He backed off his openness toward an assault weapons ban, support for expanded background checks, barring those who exhibit ‘red flags’ from buying guns and raising the age to buy assault weapons to 21.

            “Instead, he wants to arm teachers, an utterly ridiculous idea that teachers strongly oppose. Even trained law enforcement officers encounter extreme difficulty in the face of a heavily-armed shooter. How can we possibly expect teachers, whose mission is to educate children, to respond to horrific mass shootings?

            “To no one’s surprise, the president’s words of support for stronger gun safety laws proved to be hollow. Responding to the murder of 17 students and educators by endorsing the gun lobby’s platform is a shameful abdication of the president’s responsibility to lead. Shame on you, Mr. President.”