South Carolina Lawmaker to Hold Gun Raffle for Teachers After Florida School Shooting
A South Carolina lawmaker is to host a gun raffle for teachers after President Donald Trump called for “gun adept” educators to be armed in the wake of the Parkland school killings.
Republican Representative Steven Long announced on his website Monday he would be raising money to give away three Smith and Wesson handguns to teachers, citing disputed evidence that mass shooters launch attacks in gun-free zones because “they are unlikely to encounter armed resistance.”
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Long, a gun enthusiast who is backed by the NRA, said that he is giving away one firearm to a grade school teacher, and another to a teacher in higher education.
The third will go to “any freedom-loving patriot who wishes to participate.”
The winning educators will also receive a gift certificate to attend a class to earn a concealed weapons permit.
Long declared his backing for legislation being considered by the state lawmakers that would allow teachers to carry guns.
“We must do everything we can to ensure the safety of children in schools, both K-12 and our higher education institutions. Allowing teachers or school staff members to carry is the most efficient and most effective way to do this,” Long said in a statement.
“By allowing trained adults to defend the students, we will send the message to those deranged psychotic degenerates that children are our top priority and we will protect them,” Long said on his website.
The killing of 17 people in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14 has renewed debate about gun control in the U.S.
Trump has declared his backing for some gun control measures, including banning bump stock devices that can transform rifles into rapid fire weapons.
In a speech last Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington D.C., Trump called for teachers who are adept at handling firearms to be armed as a protective measure.
"I mean, I don't want to have a hundred guards with rifles standing all over the school," the president told the conference.
"You do a concealed carry permit. This would be a major deterrent, because these people are inherently cowards."
He doubled down on the idea in a tweet Saturday.
"Armed Educators (and trusted people who work within a school) love our students and will protect them," Trump tweeted Saturday. "Very smart people. Must be firearms adept & have annual training. Should get yearly bonus. Shootings will not happen again - a big & very inexpensive deterrent. Up to States."