New bill wants metal detectors in schools

Posted on November 13, 2018
New proposal in the Illinois House looks to add metal detectors available in schools.(PHOTO:Dave Dahl)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD– A state lawmaker wants Illinois to move toward making going to school like getting on an airplane.

“Why is it that nobody gets shot at Terminal One or Terminal Two at O’Hare Airport?” State Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) asked at a statehouse news conference. “You don’t hear about shootings at any airport terminals after people have gone through metal detectors.
People in safe spaces should have the same precautions available.”

Ford has introduced a bill to make metal detectors available in all Illinois schools, large school sporting events, colleges, hospitals, and courthouses. The idea is to leverage federal matching dollars.

Ford brought in a psychiatrist to say almost all kids now fear school shootings … and the precaution would be important an important preventive.

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