WASHINGTON, DC– Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) issued the following statement after it was reported that the Department of Education was considering allowing school districts to use federal funds to buy teachers guns:

“Arming teachers is alarming and reckless. It is opposed by students, educators, and law enforcement officials. The gun violence epidemic will not be solved by adding more guns to our schools. As a member of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I have called for gun laws that keep our communities safe, but that also allow responsible gun ownership.

Schools should continue to be gun-free zones. Federal funds should be used to better educate our students. I will continue to oppose policies that do not make our classrooms—or nation—safer. We should support teachers with the basics they need like school supplies, instead of something they don’t want—like guns.

The American people demand better from their government. I remain committed to fighting for commonsense safety measures so that gun violence tragedies are no longer the norm.”