A controversial bill introduced in the Texas Legislature suggests deploying drones equipped with tasers and pepper spray to protect schools from potential shooters. The proposal comes as an alternative to stationing armed security guards at every campus, a requirement many districts have struggled to implement following the tragic Uvalde school shooting.
State Representative Ryan Guillen's bill outlines a plan requiring one drone per 200 students, armed with what the legislation describes as "less lethal interdiction capability by means of air-based irritant delivery or other mechanisms." The proposal would increase per-student security funding from $10 to $100, but strictly for campus security measures including the drone program.
Security experts have raised serious concerns about the effectiveness and safety of drone-deployed weapons. Pepper spray, being an aerosol, could affect innocent bystanders and requires close-range deployment to be effective. Similarly, tasers typically need precise targeting and close proximity to work properly.
The drone manufacturer Axon's entire ethics board previously resigned when the company pursued the development of taser-equipped drones, highlighting the controversial nature of such technology.
Critics argue that the substantial funding increase could be better spent on educational resources rather than experimental security measures. The proposal represents Texas's latest attempt to address school safety without implementing stricter gun control measures, despite continuing concerns about mass shootings in educational institutions.
The bill emerges against the backdrop of the Uvalde tragedy, where traditional armed response proved ineffective as officers delayed action for nearly 90 minutes. Many districts have already struggled to comply with existing requirements for armed guards, with some resorting to arming teachers instead.
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