Monday, January 25, 2016

Guns and Schools

I hope others email these folks, as I just did.

School board directors, commissioners, Tim, Keith, and State Rep. Dan Miller,

Answering my own question concerning the private property exemption in the FGFSZA... State or local laws may pronounce that the FGFSZA applies to private property. The municipality of Mt. Lebanon and Mt. Lebanon School District have chosen not to.

(3)
(A)
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), it shall be unlawful for any person, knowingly or with reckless disregard for the safety of another, to discharge or attempt to discharge a firearm that has moved in or that otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce at a place that the person knows is a school zone.
(B) Subparagraph (A) does not apply to the discharge of a firearm—
(i)
on private property not part of school grounds;
(ii)
as part of a program approved by a school in the school zone, by an individual who is participating in the program;
(iii)
by an individual in accordance with a contract entered into between a school in a school zone and the individual or an employer of the individual; or
(iv)
by a law enforcement officer acting in his or her official capacity.
(4)
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preempting or preventing a State or local government from enacting a statute establishing gun free school zones as provided in this subsection.

If and when the school district decides to tell parents what is going on, the District needs to be very specific and mention the Federal Gun Free School Zones Act and its exemption for private property that the municipality is applying. As a result, Tim needs to go on to say that shooting MAY occur on certain private properties near or bordering on school property. Extra caution should be urged. And please send a letter on District letterhead, not just forward something from the municipality as done in the past.

Elaine Gillen

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tim Steinhauer's evasive reply when asked specifically about discharging high powered rifles next to school grounds:

"The School District was informed of the Municipality’s intentions regarding the deer cull. We have been apprised of their plans including hours of operation. I would suggest you contact the municipality directly regarding specifics of the plan or refer to the many documents included on the municipal website. Our parents and staff have/will been informed of the same information."

It's as if Mr. Steinhauer is totally washing his hands of the issue of rifles being discharged right next to school grounds and taking a back seat where student safety and informing parents is concerned.

Nick M.

Lebo Citizens said...

I finally heard back from someone - Timmy.

From: Dr. Timothy Steinhauer
To: 'egillen476@aol.com'
Cc: Lawrence Lebowitz
Sent: Mon, Jan 25, 2016 3:30 pm
Subject: RE: Silence

Dear Ms. Gillen – The School District will inform parents and staff on Tuesday, January 26, 2016. The information that was sent to the District and links to the municipal information will also be posted on the District’s website at the same time.

Timothy J. Steinhauer, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Mt. Lebanon School District
412-344-2076

What did you do today to improve the life of a child?

*********

I want so badly to write back and say to him - and what did you do today to improve the life of a child?
Elaine

Unknown said...

You and me both, Elaine. I have wanted to write that very same thing to him for quite a while. How can he place that on his email when he looks the other way as his students are walking to and from school, at their peril?

Anonymous said...


"We’ve seen an epidemic sweep across our country related to heroin, related to opiates and opiate overdoses". I think they meant, "..across Mt Lebanon" but were just too afraid to say it because um, it might undermine other initiatives.

http://www.thealmanac.net/20160125/mt_lebanon_honors_police_officers_firefighters