1. United States
2. Utah
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment regarding the passage of H.B. 84, School Safety Amendments. While school safety is a critical issue, I believe this law creates more problems than it solves. As your constituent, I urge you to reconsider and take steps to rescind this legislation for the following reasons: Lack of Professional Oversight: H.B. 84 permits armed individuals to act in a security capacity without the training and qualifications typically required of law enforcement or professional security personnel. School safety is too important to leave in the hands of those who are not fully trained to handle potentially dangerous situations. This increases the risk of mishandling incidents. Underfunded and Inadequate Support: While the law provides a $500 stipend, it falls short of covering adequate training or ensuring that security personnel are properly equipped to perform their duties. In the event of a school emergency, it is essential to have trained professionals who are fully prepared, not individuals in part-time or makeshift roles. Increased Liability and Risk: By allowing untrained individuals to carry firearms in schools, we are increasing the potential for accidents or unintended consequences. The safety of our children should not be jeopardized by cutting corners or relying on insufficiently trained personnel to respond in emergencies. Undermining Public Trust: This law can damage the trust between the community, schools, and law enforcement, making parents feel less secure about sending their children to school. The presence of unqualified armed personnel can be seen as a reactive measure, rather than a well-thought-out plan to improve school safety. I strongly urge you to reconsider the long-term impacts of this law and advocate for a more robust, professional approach to school safety. Our children deserve better than a patchwork solution that puts them at greater risk. Please work to rescind H.B. 84 and replace it with legislation that provides adequate funding and professional security personnel in our schools. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I look forward to your response and to hearing what actions you will take on this issue.