The Texas Senate’s new committee on school security is holding its first meetings this week. The Senate Select Committee on Violence in Schools & School Security was formed in the aftermath of the Santa Fe High School shooting that left 10 dead, 13 others wounded.
Much of Monday's conversation focused on changing school design, metal detectors and arming school staff.
“In Santa Fe, these kids were all shot, either killed or wounded in about three minutes, so if someone's there within a minute, you may save 10 lives, 15 lives,” said committee chair Larry Taylor, R- Friendswood.
“Unfortunate things will happen, but the fact you could save 10 or 15 students with someone else maybe being wounded by friendly fire, I don't think we want to let perfect be the enemy, there's not a perfect solution for any of this.”
However, Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, argued mental health should be the top priority.
“If we don't detect and have a place for them to be referred to and get meaningful help, we will end up fortifying our schools and still have tragedies,” said Whitmire.
Also on the table, possible "red-flag" laws allowing temporary seizure of guns if someone is considered a threat.