Covenant School parents

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 today or any day, and I love my school,” he said.

The nonprofits are not affiliated with the school or church, and Laushkin said that they have “no plans to endorse candidates.” The nonprofits are not involved in the ongoing lawsuit over the shooter’s manifesto, but some of the parents are individually involved in the litigation.

“Our group alone has already taken dozens of legislator meetings,” Alexander said. “We thank those who have met with us thus far and we will continue to do so because we believe there is power in sharing our story so that others can understand and learn from the experience our children and staff faced on that fateful day of March 27.”

Alexander said that she is a gun owner who wants to see action taken “when there are clear signs that something is wrong.”

“We are advocating for gun violence prevention solutions, such as expanded background checks, secure storage, order of protection laws — a life-saving measure that could have prevented the tragedy at The Covenant School.”

Teague said that seeing police body camera footage inside of his child’s classroom “jarred” him and “deepened my resolve.”

“It’s going to take everybody in the state and the small towns and big cities, but we just need to lower the volume and stop screaming at each other — talk to one another, see the humanity in each other, and we can find common ground to help make our children safer.”

While the special session is anticipated to take place in August, Republican State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson told SuperTalk 99.7 that he is “confident” that the legislature “will not pass any type of red flag law or ERPO, extreme risk protection order.”

“The parents are urging policymakers to get serious as it relates to the policies that are before them, and to pray and to reflect on what’s possible,” Laushkin told reporters.

“Conservative states like Florida and Indiana have these laws.” school by a police officer.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” says Metro Councilmember At-Large Zulfat Suara, who is chair of the council’s education committee. “There are parents that feel like if we have officers in school, shootings will not happen. Now, when you look at some of the shootings we’ve had across the country, we’ve had situations where the officers were there and the shootings have happened, right? And so it’s not a direct correlation that having officers there [would] mean that we’re going to stop something from happening. But you also want to respect parents.”

Though MNPS, the MNPD and the Metro Juvenile Court haven’t specifically tracked school arrests, Lt. Jason Picanzo of MNPD’s School Safety Division says he’s starting to do so as conversations about the school-to-prison pipeline continue. In the first community meeting, Picanzo shared arrest data from four schools, though when asked he declined to disclose which ones. According to Picanzo, a total of 203 situations involving disorderly students, narcotics, fights, threats or weapons resulted in six arrests at those four schools. According to the MNPD, 122 arrests were made at schools last year, including some cases of outstanding warrants or runaways.

The school safety meetings allowed locals to submit questions and comments. The Scene obtained submissions through a public records request. Of the 26 submitted questions and comments, almost half mentioned gun reform or the politics surrounding it — a matter local leaders have very limited control over, as state Republicans have resisted gun reform efforts.

Two commenters wanted to see more armed guards in school. Efforts to arm teachers did not move forward during this year’s legislative session, and MNPS’ director of schools opposes the idea.

“I am a public school teacher in MNPS,” said commenter Susan Norwood. “I do not feel safe coming in to work. … We have a teacher and a sub shortage. There are not enough adults in the building to maintain a safe environment.”

“More guns is not the answer,” said Dana Shaw.

“Why haven’t we made the most obvious solution possible?” asked Laura Phillips. “Put armed guards in every school. … More than one too as many as they can get.”

“I am an MNPS elementary school teacher,” said Robyn Prescott. “The feedback from parents and guardians has been overwhelmingly positive to having a uniformed officer at our school DAILY!”

“Why aren’t teachers allowed to bring personal guns and lock them up in their desk if they complete a mandated gun safety class and full background check?” said Dandida Kruse.

“How do you plan to respond to social, social and emotional needs of the students?” asked James Polk.

“My daughter begins kindergarten next year, and while worries and fears accompany any new student and their caregivers as they begin school for the first time, those worries and fears should never include the fear that they will be murdered or traumatized,” said Margaret Kingsbury. “It is unconscionable.”

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.