LINCOLN- Nebraska political leaders called for everything from a semi-automatic weapons ban to the restoration of prayer in schools after this week's shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen called for action on “unaddressed mental health and school safety challenges” and promised to work with current Gov. Pete Ricketts, law enforcement and the Legislature to keep children safe in their classrooms.
State Sen. Carol Blood, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, called for federal action on gun laws, rather than a patchwork of state laws. She said there are changes most Americans can agree upon that would improve safety without taking away guns from responsible gun owners.
Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, who was among the leaders in blocking permitless concealed carry this year, said Nebraska needs laws to regulate and restrict the sale of semi-automatic weapons.
Nebraska education leaders announced they are forming a task force to review best practices and identify ways that classrooms throughout the state can have access to the highest standard of safety possible.
State Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt said he expects that proposed legislation could come from the task force, although the scope of the group and its work is still being finalized. The task force was prompted by Senator Lynne Walz and leaders have already convened to begin the work.