The federal government should not be actively involved in creating programs to prevent school violence in the primary and secondary public education systems, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, told Fox News on Tuesday.
"It's not an area where the federal government is actively involved," Lee told "Happening Now."
"Nor do I think it's one where the federal government should be actively involved. How people secure a school in one community, in one state, in one part of the country or another is going to vary. . . . These decisions are probably better left for parents and teachers and local school administrators, perhaps state officials, but not people in Washington."
Lee was responding to a question on whether legislation being pushed by fellow Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., would be enough to curb violence like the mass shooting that took place nearly a month ago at a high school in Parkland, Florida, where a gunman killed 17.
Hatch's bill, the STOP School Violence Act, would provide schools with funding for security improvements and programs designed to prevent school violence.
"I'm not sure and to be honest, I'm skeptical of new federal programs for situations like this one," Lee said.
Lawmakers have been pushed to act in the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and some bills have already been pushed forward. Lee, though, has opposed some of the measures being floated, including the ban of AR-15 rifles.
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