ATLANTA — Monday was the first day back in class since the shooting inside Warner Robins High School last week.
Families whose loved ones were in Apalachee High School during the 2024 mass shooting said it’s more proof all schools in Georgia should be required to use weapon detectors.
Layla Renee Contreras was the person who led the push to get weapon detectors in schools of that district in Barrow County.
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“What’s it going to take?” said Contreras.
She met with Channel 2’s Courtney Francisco outside the Georgia Capitol building Downtown Atlanta.
Contreras has been urging lawmakers to pass a bill that would mandate weapon detection systems in all schools.
Majority Leaders Chuck Efstration sponsored a bill that would have done that last session.
“It’s my belief that this is going to be a common standard across the country in the next few years,” said Rep. Efstration.
His bill passed the House of Representatives, but senators did not pass it.
“Their big concern was that if you have buildings, campuses with multiple buildings, how would that work? So, I have been in communication with law enforcement agencies as to how to create a sterile zone,” said Efstration.
He said approximately 40 school systems out of the 180 in Georgia already have a weapon detection system in place. His bill includes available funding to help other districts pay for the technology.
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“Weapon detection system are not fool proof,” said Rep. Dr. Michelle Au.
She said her Pediatric Health Safe Storage Bill is designed to prevent children from accessing guns in the first place.
“When I talk to constituents and voters in the community, often people, whether they’re Republican or Democrat, are surprised that we don’t already have a safe storage law on the books,said Rep. Dr. Au.
She and Efstration both plan to submit their bills for a new vote when lawmakers return to session in January.
Apalachee High School families are inviting the Warner Robins community to join them at the Capitol to fight for change.
“Our hearts are with them. We know exactly what they’re feeling,” said Contreras. “The chaos, the uneasiness, the restlessness of sending their kids back to school.”
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