July 9, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

SMMUSD Board Member Ben Allen Pushes Gun Control Resolution:

A board member of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) drafted a resolution on gun control and assault weapons ban that gained favor with the Los Angeles County School Trustees Association (LACSTA).

SMMUSD board member Ben Allen, who also sits on the LACSTA executive board, spearheaded a resolution last week calling for “sensible gun control, a ban on assault weapons, limits on magazines, and spending on mental health screenings and services for children and young adults.”

At the heart of the resolution is protecting schools from gun-related attacks. The resolution specifically cited five high school and college campuses where mass shootings occurred since 1999, including Columbine High School just outside Denver, Colo., Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., Virginia Tech University, and Santa Monica College (SMC).

Also referenced in the resolution: the attempted assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and murder of a half dozen others at a shopping center near Tucson, Ariz., as well as the shooting inside a movie theater in Aurora, Colo.

“There are more than 30,000 deaths caused by firearms in the United States each year,” the resolution read. “The number of people killed by firearms in the United States is twenty times greater than the sum of firearm-related deaths in the next twenty-two countries of comparable development and Gross Domestic Product combined.”

The resolution also questioned whether certain types of guns and ammunition were “necessary” for recreational or sporting use.

“Semi-automatic and automatic weapons with large ammunition clips are not necessary for sporting or self-protection and enables persons intent on inflicting mass death or injury to cause more mass harm or death than would occur if those weapons were not so widely available,” the resolution stated.

Looking ahead, Allen’s resolution called for mandatory background checks and increased funding for mental health screenings.

“LACSTA … calls upon Congress and California State leadership to enact laws requiring mandatory background checks for the sale and purchase of all firearms and ammunition … (and) to increase funding for mental health screenings of and mental health service support for children, young adults, veterans, and other vulnerable populations,” the resolution stated.

The resolution also encouraged new policies be enacted to “identify and treat mental health issues in children and young adults as a means to combat and prevent gun violence in educational settings.”

Finally, LACSTA hoped the resolution would draw up enough support to “roll back widespread public access to semiautomatic and automatic weaponry and high-capacity magazines” while also calling for “meaningful policies and resolutions that reduce gun violence and promote gun safety.”

While it did not cite specific statistics, the resolution stated mass shootings in public and educational settings have increased since 1999 as the nationwide crime rate decreased.

Congress’s ban on assault weapons, which was enacted in 1994, was allowed to expire in 2004. According to Allen’s resolution, the 1994 ban aimed “to prohibit the distribution of select automatic and semi-automatic weapons” and “those very same types of weapons have been used in murderous gun violence subsequently.”

Federal and state law does not prohibit criminal background checks for the purchase of guns at gun shows or through private transactions, the resolution added.

The LACSTA board unanimously supported the resolution Sept. 30; LACSTA aims to round up additional support of the resolution amongst its membership base and have similar resolutions passed by other boards.

in News
<>Related Posts

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @LADOTofficial  Students from...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

(Video) Hundreds of Drones Light up the Sky for Palisades to Celebrate July 4th

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The Event Marked One of the First Large Gatherings Among Palisadians Since the January Wildfires. The Event Marked One of...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

Santa Monica Home Defies Convention: Architect Eric Owen Moss Debuts Shape-Shifting Design

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Pistachio-Colored Marvel Boasts Curving Walls, Sharp Angles, and Challenging Design A striking residence in Santa Monica is turning heads with...

Caitlyn Jenner’s Friend and Former Foundation CEO Dies in Malibu ATV Crash

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

ATV Plummeted 350 Feet After Rear-Ending Vehicle in Malibu Sophia Hutchins, former CEO of the Caitlyn Jenner Foundation and longtime...