June 13, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Neil Bhaerman, 412-266-4899, nbhaerman@oft-aft.org
OFT President Cropper: HB 99 Makes Ohio Schools Less Safe
COLUMBUS — Today, Governor DeWine signed HB 99 into law, which will allow school districts to arm teachers and staff with only two hours of hands-on training and only 24 total hours of training. In response, OFT President Melissa Cropper released the following statement:
“We are disappointed that Governor DeWine signed HB 99 into law despite widespread concern from educators, parents, and public safety professionals. Allowing more guns in our schools, without the necessary training to ensure those guns are kept secure and are handled safely, will make our schools more dangerous and increase the likelihood that Ohio students, teachers, and school staff will be harmed. Similarly, the new law that allows permitless concealed carry, will also make our communities less safe.
Ohioans demanded that Governor DeWine “do something” in response to the 2019 mass shooting in Dayton and in response to the Uvalde school shooting. But rather than do something to reduce shootings, DeWine has now acted twice to allow more guns in more places with less training. We need a governor who will listen to their constituents, not to the special interests that are profiting from these pro-gun policies.”
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The Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) is composed of 54 local unions representing 20,000 members who are active and retired public school teachers, charter school teachers, school support staff, higher education faculty and staff, and public employees. OFT works to advance quality education and a voice in the workplace for Ohio’s education professionals. OFT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers.