Sandy Hook shooting: Sen. Boxer proposes using National Guard for school security
Connecticut State Police walk near the scene of an elementary school shooting on December 14, 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut. According to reports, there are more than 20 dead, most children, after a gunman opened fire in at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. The shooter was also killed.
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) wants governors across the US to have access to National Guard troops for school security in the wake of the shooting in Newtown, Conn., according to Politico.
On Friday, 20-year-old Adam Lanza shot and killed his mother before going on a shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary school. 26 children and adults were killed in the massacre.
More from GlobalPost: Most Newtown schools reopen after Sandy Hook shooting, 1 remains closed after threat
Politico reported Boxer said the legislation is modeled after a previous law in which Guard troops were called in to help with security at the border.
Currently, US governors have the ability to send troops into a school but this legislation would enable them to get federal funds to cover the expense.
The Los Angeles Times said the Save Our Schools Act would also allow the governors to decide how to use troops in the school vicinity.
“I believe in protecting our schools with trained law enforcement,” Boxer said at press conference on Capitol Hill. “This proposal is an answer to that proposal.”
More from GlobalPost: Sandy Hook shooting: Newtown community tells media 'Enough is enough'
At The World, we believe strongly that human-centered journalism is at the heart of an informed public and a strong democracy. We see democracy and journalism as two sides of the same coin. If you care about one, it is imperative to care about the other.
Every day, our nonprofit newsroom seeks to inform and empower listeners and hold the powerful accountable. Neither would be possible without the support of listeners like you. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!