Today’s Action: Keep guns out of schools

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos had a chance to keep guns out of schools. Instead, the Department of Education is considering allowing states to use $1 billion, designated for academic and enrichment programs under Title IX, to arm teachers and put even more firearms in schools.

These federal funds are intended to be used for computers and afterschool programs…not placing deadly weapons in the hands of people who largely do not want them and did not sign up to carry them. Now, Congress must do the work that our Education Secretary refuses to, passing legislation to explicitly keep gun purchases out of Title IV.

Call or email your Members of Congress and demand they swiftly pass legislation to prohibit the purchase of guns for schools with Title IV funding.

This is honestly no surprise coming from DeVos, a billionaire GOP megadonor whose foundations donated $5 million to a conservative Christian group that runs “conversion therapy” for LBGTQ individuals. DeVos has spent 20 years aggressively pushing for charter school voucher programs, public taxpayer money to fund private and religious schools (including her own charter school that resides in the bottom 5% statewide for achievement). In fact, her every move can be tracked by GOP special interest groups, now including the NRA.

To illustrate how abhorrent this situation is, here are the actual guidelines for Title IV funding uses: Providing a well-rounded education Improving school conditions for learning Improving the use of technology for digital literacy

…none of which are even remotely close to putting guns in public schools. But, unchecked by DeVos, states may soon pursue this route unless clearly prohibited by Congress.

Email or call (202.224.3121) your members of Congress and tell them to act fast to prohibit Title IV funds from being used for gun purchases in schools.

And by the way, Betsy, most states don’t have grizzly bears. Is that what’s being taught at your charter school?