OKLAHOMA CITY – House Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, released the following statement urging the Oklahoma State Department of Education to work alongside the McClain County Sheriff’s Office during their investigation after Blanchard Elementary School said a student fired a School Resource Officer’s gun on the school playground last Friday.

“There should never be a circumstance where a student has access to a loaded gun on school grounds,” McCane said. “I am thankful no one was harmed during the incident at Blanchard Elementary School on Friday, but I am deeply concerned at how likely a serious injury or death could have occurred. While the school district and the McClain County Sheriff’s Office conduct a thorough investigation, I urge the Oklahoma State Department of Education and our State Superintendent to work alongside them to set a standard where this kind of thing can never happen again. The safety of our students should be our number one priority. I will work within the Oklahoma Legislature and with anyone who is ready to do what is best for our students’ safety and success to ensure public school teachers and support staff, including school resource officers are paid efficiently and trained properly so we have the highest quality of security available for our students.”

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