NY eyes armed-educator ban

Armed teachers would be banned from New York schools under new legislation to be introduced in Albany on Monday.

President Trump proposed arming qualified teachers and other staffers to shoot back if a gunman attacks their school after last month’s mass shooting left 17 dead at Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS in Parkland, Fla.

Even if Trump succeeds in lifting a federal ban on guns in school zones, the bill from state Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D-LI) would ensure that teachers and other educators still couldn’t carry firearms in classrooms.

“More guns in school are not the answer,” Kaminsky said Saturday. “It’s a dangerous idea.”

Right now state law allows guns in schools and college campuses only with permission from the educational institutions.

Kaminsky’s measure would restrict guns to security and law-enforcement personnel and not authorize educators to be armed.

The Democratic proposal, supported by Senate Minority Leader An- drea Stewart-Cousins, may be a tough sell in the GOP-controlled chamber.

On Wednesday, Senate Republicans foiled a Democratic plot to force a vote on four other guncontrol bills.

Kaminsky’s bill would very likely need support from the eight breakaway Dems in the Independent Democratic Conference, who normally caucus with the Republicans.

Kaminsky said he invited members of the IDC to a Saturday event announcing his measure and was told there were scheduling conflicts, so he “assumes” the rogue Democrats support his proposal.

The IDC and Republican Majority Leader John Flanagan’s office didn’t respond to messages seeking comment.