New York State Senator Fred Akshar says he supports School Resource Officers in districts around the state to ensure school security.

The Colesville Republican is among those in the Senate majority voting in a package of bills in the wake of the Parkland, Florida School shooting.

In addition to offering state funding for districts outside of New York City to pay for SROs who would be authorized to carry and possess firearms while conducting their duties if properly licensed, the bills include Guardians for Schools vanity license plates to help pay for armed guards at schools, better access to mental health services and provisions for more active shooter drills.

Akshar says his recent listening sessions with school administrators, police and government leaders, along with his own background in the law enforcement, reinforces his support for placing officers in school buildings.

The Senate measure moves on to the Assembly where Democrats' proposals for stricter gun control as well as an increase in access to mental health services were rejected by Republicans as they worked on their own legislation.

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