Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY) has introduced HR 5066, the Safe Students Act, aimed at repealing the 1990 Gun-Free School Zones Act. Massie argues the federal law, enacted under President George H.W. Bush, turns schools into “soft targets” by prohibiting firearms in school zones, leaving students, teachers, and staff defenseless.
The push follows a recent attack on Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, where a gunman targeted a Catholic school, noting in his manifesto that he chose it partly because he believed teachers were unarmed. Massie’s bill seeks to empower state governments and school boards to set their own firearm policies without federal restrictions.
Breitbart reports the 1990 law has inadvertently created vulnerable environments filled with defenseless children and staff. Historically, mass shooters target gun-free zones to maximize harm with minimal resistance. In a recent X post, Massie stated, “Deranged shooters choose schools because they know their victims are vulnerable. This one even admitted it. There’s never been a shooting like this in a school that allows staff to carry.”
My Safe Students Act, HR 5066, would repeal the dangerous Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, ending the default federal policy of making schools soft targets.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) August 29, 2025
HR 5066 would make it easier for state governments and school boards to unambiguously set their own firearm policies. pic.twitter.com/K73LMhyEme
Massie has consistently introduced bills to repeal the Gun-Free School Zones Act in every Congressional session, advocating for the right of teachers, staff, and law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and students. Gun rights groups, including Gun Owners of America and the National Association for Gun Rights, support the Safe Students Act, urging Congress to end policies that make schools easy targets.
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