Missouri Gov Mike Parson slammed for his ‘stupidity’ as he blocks bill to fund gun-detection equipment in schools
JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI: Missouri Governor Mike Parson vetoed funding for a school safety initiative that aimed to use video surveillance software to detect guns, sparking widespread criticism and trolling online.
The Republican governor's decision makes him the second state leader in recent months to reject such technology, as reported by The Hill.
Parson's decision to veto the proposed $2.5 million grant program for public schools was one of 173 line-item vetoes he announced while signing a nearly $50 billion state budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson vetoes funding for gun-detection equipment across schools
This move follows Kansas Governor Laura Kelly's similar decision to strike down a $5 million appropriation for gun-detection technology.
Both state budget bills had garnered support from ZeroEyes, a technology firm founded by military veterans after the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. ZeroEyes' surveillance cameras and artificial intelligence are designed to detect firearms and alert school administrators and law enforcement.
While several companies offer gun surveillance systems, the Kansas legislation included criteria tailored to ZeroEyes, making it difficult for competitors to qualify. The Missouri budget bill, although less specific, still contained several criteria that aligned with ZeroEyes' capabilities.
In a letter to lawmakers, Parson explained his veto, stating, "this appropriation appears to describe a specific vendor’s platform" and emphasized the Department of Public Safety must adhere to state purchasing laws instead of contracting with a particular vendor.
Parson also cited a need for overall spending cuts among his reasons for rejecting the measure. His decision comes amid a broader trend of increasing state-level investments in school security.
States such as Iowa, Michigan, and Utah have already enacted laws funding firearms detection technology in schools, contributing to the growth of the school security industry, now a multibillion-dollar enterprise. These investments also include equipping staff with mobile panic buttons and digitally mapping school buildings for faster emergency response.
Parson’s vetoes amounted to about $1 billion in cuts from the state budget. Among the rejected items was a $497 million transfer for renovations to the Capitol, which Parson deemed unnecessary without detailed plans.
Another significant cut was $150 million out of $727 million intended for the improvement and expansion of Interstate 44, which spans from St Louis to the Oklahoma border.
Mike Parson sparks trolling over decision to block bill funding gun-detection equipment
Social media was flooded with critical comments in wake of Parson's decision to block bill funding gun-detection equipment in schools.
One Facebook user sarcastically said, "Very Pro-Life of him."
While another remarked, "Yeah, because it's every American's right to easily carry weapons into schools where they can blast students, teachers, and administrators to bits."
A third user wrote, "Yup, Republicans love guns more than children. Sad."
Another user posted, "Never about protecting the kids, always about getting gun laws passed."
One user commented, "These Republicans really are the most repulsive people that exist."
Another user mentioned, "The stupidity is beyond comprehension."
A seventh user stated, "The so-called 'pro-lifers' would leave little kids defenseless from mass shootings."
Lastly, a user said, "Republicans seem to love the idea of more American kids shot to death in their own schools."
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
