(DailyChive.com) – California Republican Assemblyman Bill Essayli is once again pushing for stronger school safety measures. On Thursday, he reintroduced Assembly Bill 68, which would require at least one armed school resource officer (SRO) on every public school campus in the state. The move comes in the wake of a horrifying attack at a private school in Oroville, where a man shot and critically wounded two kindergartners.
Essayli’s efforts face an uphill battle. Earlier this year, California Democrats on the Assembly Education Committee rejected a similar version of the bill. Still, Essayli remains determined, saying it’s time lawmakers prioritize protecting children.
“Every time one of these shootings happens, we hear the same arguments,” Essayli told The Daily Wire. “Democrats call for stricter gun laws, and Republicans don’t offer solutions. Meanwhile, nothing gets done. We owe it to our kids to act.”
He believes armed SROs are a crucial step. “School resource officers are trained to handle threats immediately,” Essayli said. “If someone starts shooting, minutes can mean the difference between life and death. Waiting for police to arrive can cost dozens of lives.”
Although the bill wouldn’t apply to private schools like the one targeted in Oroville, Essayli hopes it will set a precedent. He believes public schools should lead the way, and private institutions will likely follow if parents expect the same level of protection everywhere.
Essayli also thinks the state should foot the bill for these officers, relieving the burden from local governments. “We protect politicians with armed guards,” he said. “Why shouldn’t our kids get at least that much protection?”
The lawmaker admits passing the bill in California will be tough. “Common-sense ideas often face backwards logic here,” he noted.
The recent shooting underscores the urgency of his proposal. On Wednesday, a 56-year-old man with a long criminal record opened fire at Feather River Adventist School. Authorities say he lured staff into meeting with him under false pretenses before targeting the children.
The victims, 6-year-old Roman Mendez and 5-year-old Elias Wolford, remain in critical condition after surgeries. Authorities revealed the attacker’s motive involved grievances over U.S. foreign policy, further highlighting the unpredictable threats schools face today.
Essayli’s bill aims to turn tragedy into action, ensuring such horrors are met with swift and effective protection.
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