Overview

• HR 5066, called the My Safe Students Act, would end the 1990 federal ban on firearms in school zones and leave policy decisions to states and local school boards.
• The Gun-Free School Zones Act makes carrying a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school a federal crime, with exemptions for private property and some state concealed-carry permit holders, and penalties of up to five years in prison.
• Rep. Thomas Massie argues attackers target locations where victims are unarmed and cited statements attributed to the Minneapolis suspect while urging concealed carry by trained school staff.
• Gun Owners of America and the National Association for Gun Rights praised the bill, and supporters pointed to a Crime Prevention Research Center analysis asserting armed civilians have stopped some active shooters.
• Coverage reports no congressional action on the proposal so far, with debate continuing over whether loosening federal restrictions or strengthening them best protects students.