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SPECIAL REPORT: Proposal for Metal Detectors in Schools

Updated: Tuesday, February 19 2013, 07:46 PM EST
COLUMBUS -- Imagine your child walking through a metal detector to get into school. That’s what one state lawmaker proposes.

In
the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre in Connecticut, Ohioans are paying
close attention to any idea that improves school safety. The latest idea
comes from State Representative Bill Patmon in the form of House Bill
18. Patmon says,  "We want to make sure that a classroom building has
the option of having a metal detector."

If passed into law, any
public school that wants a metal detector would get one. Patmon says not
one penny would come out of the education budget. Instead, he proposes
using Homeland Security funds. "How good would it be to use tax dollars
that are already there to secure our children's safety in these
districts? Especially if we have the money sitting there already in
Homeland Security."

Some parents and educators are against the
idea. Brian Rothenberg with Progress Ohio says, "Psychologically to have
a 6 or 7 or 8 year old child go through a metal detector every day --
I'm not sure that's good for a student."

Rothenberg says the idea
obscures the real issue which is a lack of gun control, On the bill, he
says, "It’s kind of like window dressing."

To see the complete raw interview with Bill Patmon who introduced HB 10: Click Here.

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Reporter: Mike Kallmeyer
Web Producer: Kellie HannaSPECIAL REPORT: Proposal for Metal Detectors in Schools