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Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne on his proposal to improve the safety at the state’s schools.
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Over my next guest has a unique way in which to protect his state school kids he's proposing to arm.
One -- in each of Arizona schools following the tragedy at sandy hook elementary.
Joining us now is the attorney general very state of -- -- -- -- Also state superintendent.
2003.
-- 2000 a lot of great to have you with us attorney general.
It was great to be with you Lou medication interviewing me for a lot of years now.
It's been awhile we there we don't have to count all up but I -- I -- -- -- -- often do.
With intriguing I think provocative ideas.
And and and I'd like to get the sense what.
The response has been in the state of Arizona to your proposal.
Well what I've tried to do is find the golden mean between two extremes.
-- some people propose that all teachers feel to bring guns to school as much as they want I think that would create more dangers than it would solve.
On the other hand if we were to do nothing at the other extreme and there -- -- -- -- prevent -- preventable incidents like Newtown.
We would definitely regret that so I propose something in the middle which is.
Actually proposed a free service we will train one person and each school the principal or is that -- Not only marksmanship but in judgment when to shoot when not to shoot how to handle an emergency situation how to lock up a gun so that it's safe on campus.
And so that they'll be ready to view of -- such an emergency situation that might arise.
But that person who is ready to deal with that is very well trained and will provide that training for free.
Along with some sheriff says these three shares have now joined on with my proposal.
If it's an interesting idea if you you know about public schools your state superintendent as I said for some time.
Public schools are extraordinarily vulnerable amongst laws that are being introduced -- Washington.
Our and one instances a law to ban.
A gun free zone designation for public schools.
Which is we look at what happened.
What happened in sending -- Makes all the sense of the world.
Well I think that you want somebody on campus with a gun able to defend against an emergency that might arise.
The ideal solution is a policeman what we call in Arizona school resource officers right when I was superintendent of schools we had school resource officers there not only there -- handle emergencies but they teach some courses in leadership and and being policeman.
They they're they're all the times -- -- make friends with the kids the kids learn to confide in them at treat them.
Us through unified read in the enemies it's a very good program but they were in less than 10% of our schools and then when the recession of 2008 hit.
The legislature to cut back even more because of budget problem that we should -- -- -- without a second best situation.
I understand -- and I and it it -- -- if I'm wrong but a resource officer is usually.
Either retired or working law enforcement officer.
Who was working part time.
But you're.
Providing that service to more public schools and and the state -- of the kids right.
Yes our school resource officers were actually full time resource officers of -- -- there's not a cheap program contract.
The very -- salaries.
And my fear is that we can't afford that for all of our schools so what -- go to -- retired law enforcement officer.
-- give him or her.
Benefits.
Sports.
Salary than than otherwise.
Of this would be something of a win for everyone would -- not.
Yes said that that would really be better than my proposal -- something we'll get that realistically and all the schools.
So my proposals second best let's train somebody give them -- aggressive training.
So that the personal brings a gun -- school is a well trained person to deal with emergencies.
And let me ask her if at this juncture.
Do you think many people now how many of our private schools are served by having a security force in in many instances are public schools are more quite vulnerable.
This is a tremendously.
By important issue and -- I think you're having a very important proposal.
To the debate.
Yes I've read that some private schools do have armed guards.
And if we could afford -- have a policeman and every school as we call school resource officers.
I would -- totally in favor of that in fact when the legislature cut back the budget.
I lobbied against that cut back I think school resource officers.
Are very valuable and just facing up to reality the legislatures not going to be able to afford to have policeman and all the schools so I was so what I'm saying.
For absolutely no -- we will for free train.
One person and each school to be well trained and and then we need some legislation so that they can have a -- with them to deal with any emergencies that might arise.
A fascinating idea and -- -- bank account for being here.
Mr.
attorney general Tom horror thanks for thanks for joining us corporate partners thanks -- -- always good to be with you Lou thank you my.
