DALLAS – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled a more than 40-page plan he said is aimed at improving safety at schools in the state.
Abbott said the “School and Firearms Safety Action Plan” was developed after three days of roundtable discussions following the May 18 massacre at Santa Fe High School.
A gunman’s half-hour rampage at the school killed eight students and two teachers.
Abbott said his plan includes actions that can be taken now, plus recommendations that lawmakers will ultimately have to decide. He said he is already making $120 million in funding available to school districts to implement the changes.
The Republican governor’s plan recommended an increase in visible law enforcement at schools, more armed school marshal training and making schools a harder target.
DOCUMENT: Read governor's entire action plan
Abbott also said he wants to expand active-shooter training, and prevent people from becoming shooters in the first place by expanding reporting capabilities of teachers and students.
He also recommended that active-shooter alarm systems, which are distinctly different from fire alarm systems, be installed in schools.
Abbott also said one of the final recommendations of the plan calls for changing existing gun ownership laws to do things like change the definition of a child, reporting requirements in the event a gun is stolen and the ability to remove guns from people for a limited time.
The governor said he also strongly recommends that lawmakers do more to invest in mental health services.