COLUMBUS — In the aftermath of a deadly school shooting in Texas, Gov. Mike DeWine has announced plans to spend “a significant amount of money” on efforts to ensure every school building in the state is properly protected against an attack.
DeWine said he preferred that approach to gun-control proposals, such as setting limits on ammunition or age restrictions for gun purchases, which he doesn’t endorse because he believes they have no chance of passing in the state’s GOP-led Legislature.
He was responding to a query from The Associated Press, which asked governors across the U.S. whether they believed their states have an obligation to reduce mass shootings and violence committed with guns and, if so, how to do that.
The Republican governor said he’s asked the state schools superintendent for an assessment of which schools need such infrastructure additions within the next few days.
In his Friday announcement, DeWine said the state departments of Public Safety and Education would help local school officials conduct threat assessment training and set up threat assessment teams to evaluate student behaviors, develop intervention plans, and assist students who need services.
The state would also help schools and police agencies conduct annual security and vulnerability assessments.
“It is important to identify early on someone who is having problems in order to intervene and get them the help they need,” DeWine said. “We must do more to strengthen our schools’ physical security, and we must ensure school personnel have the proper training and support to keep themselves and their students safe.”
DeWine didn’t detail the types of security measures he’s talking about, which based on measures some schools already have in place, might range from metal detectors to classroom barricade devices.
DeWine also announced an increase in the number of state officials working with schools on safety and security while calling on lawmakers to stiffen penalties for violent offenders and improve the state’s background check system.