Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation that eliminated the exception to the Gun Free School Zone Act, which allowed local superintendents to grant permission for permit holders to carry guns at KHSD schools.
At least five school districts used that exception to draft policies that allowed Concealed Carry Weapon permit holders to have firearms on campus.
AB 424 was signed on Saturday and will go into effect at the end of this year.
Those who opposed the legislation authored by Assemblyman Kevin McCarty said this was a threat and "a big step backward for student safety." Trustee Phillip Peters proposed that as a result more funding should be provided to the schools so that they can hire more officers to make up for the gap in safety.
McCarty, however, feels that not having guns on school grounds provides a safe learning environment.
"The Legislature's approval of AB 424 is a common-sense step, supported by campus police officers, to make sure schools are gun-free," McCarty said.
This controversial decision follows a long debate over the issue. Opponents of the exception in the Gun Free School Zone Act argued that with every gun on school campuses the risk of injury and dangers go up, while others argued that since the policy was passed there were no reported incidents involving any CCW permit holders.
Right now 23 CCW holders are authorized to carry guns on KHSD school grounds. It is unclear if those permissions will be immediately revoked or if they can carry firearms until AB 424 goes into effect at the end of the year.
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CORRECTION: This article was posted earlier today saying Congressman Kevin McCarthy authored the bill. It was Assemblyman Kevin McCarty who did.
