Campaign Responds to Collin College’s Decision to Implement the School Marshal Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Plano, Texas) In response to Collin College Board of Trustees passing the school marshal program this past Tuesday, The Campaign to Keep Guns off Campus issues the following statement:

“On Tuesday, Collin College became the first community college district in the state of Texas to implement the school marshal program. In what the Dallas Morning News calls a “necessary progression of campus carry,” the school marshal program adds yet another layer of guns on our college campuses in addition to law enforcement and armed civilians. Collin College campuses are extremely safe places and there is no evidence that these programs actually deter crime; therefore, Collin College should focus more on other preventative measures that are more effective in preventing violence.

“Interestingly, this past fall, Collin College opened its Public Safety Center in McKinney, which leads one to wonder what the real motivation is for becoming the first community college to agree to school marshalls. Nearly one million people reside in Collin County and they were not notified of the implementation of this program prior to Tuesday’s vote. At the cost of approximately $4,000  borne to the taxpayers, it should be the duty of President Neil Matkin and the Board of Trustees to be transparent to the long-term plan of the college. It would appear as if Collin College is generating a new revenue stream for the college at the cost of the safety of those on campus. By becoming the first community college district to implement the school marshall program and creating the Public Safety Center, this could be the tip of the iceberg where we see other community college districts and K-12 districts around the state sending their marshals to Collin College for training.”

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ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN TO KEEP GUNS OFF CAMPUS

The Campaign to Keep Guns off Campus was founded in 2008 to urge colleges and universities to band together to oppose the gun lobby’s agenda to push loaded, concealed guns on college campuses. To date, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and more than 420 colleges and universities in 42 states have joined the Campaign. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Contact:

Julie Gavran, Western Director, [email protected]
Andy Pelosi, Executive Director, [email protected] (914-629-6726)