BEND, OR -- Bend’s City Council has agreed to meet with Bend Police and officials from Bend-La Pine Schools, to discuss ways to improve school safety. Several students spoke at Wednesday night’s Council meeting urging the city to take action, without making school feel like a prison.
Marika Green is an elementary teacher in Bend. She told Councilors, Wednesday, she thinks about her student’s safety every day. "Something has to change. Our minds should be focused on curriculum goals and on the progress of our students. We should be thinking about honing our craft and engaging our learning communities. Defending our students in a life or death situation was never part of our job description."
Green was one of several speakers to thank Councilor Barb Campbell for opposing a proposed county ordinance. The “Second Amendment Preservation” ordinance would allow the Sheriff to not enforce state and federal gun laws he deems unconstitutional. If supporters gather enough signatures, the ordinance could go to Deschutes County voters in November. It's in direct response to IP 43, a proposed state measure that would ban some firearms and high-capacity magazines.
A group of Bend-La Pine students spoke to the Bend City Council Wednesday night (Wed) about gun safety, and their opposition to a proposed “Second Amendment Preservation” county ordinance.
