Armor bill clears House
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Bulletproof vests and other body armor would be off limits on school campuses under legislation that cleared a House committee Wednesday.
“We don’t want our kids coming to school armed with a weapon or with body armor,” said Rep. Chris Hazel, R-Ball and sponsor of House Bill 1153.
Hazel said the bill is aimed at school-aged children as opposed to university students.
However, the legislation defines a school as an elementary, secondary, high school, vocational-technical school, college or university.
Wearing body armor on a school campus or at a school-sponsored function would be punishable by at least a year in prison or a $2,000 fine.
Michael Ranatza, assistant executive director for the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association, said a Baton Rouge student recently wore body armor to class.
He was referring to a McKinley Middle Magnet School student arrested in March for carrying an unloaded gun to campus.
The eighth-grade student also was wearing a bulletproof vest.
The child told school officials he was afraid of retaliation for tattling on other students.
Rep. Roy Burrell, D-Shreveport, noted that lawmakers advanced legislation last week that would allow permitted, concealed handguns to be carried on college campuses.
The handgun bill moved forward because students felt they needed to protect themselves, Burrell said.
He questioned whether prohibiting body armor would restrict students’ rights to protect themselves even if it arises from paranoia.
“Are we restricting any liberties here?” Burrell asked.
Hazel said he is trying to prevent a Columbine-style massacre.
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