Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has vetoed funding for a school safety initiative that aimed to use video surveillance software to detect guns. This decision makes him the second governor in recent months to reject such technology. The Republican governor’s veto of the proposed $2.5 million grant program for public schools was part of 173 line-item vetoes he announced while signing a roughly $50 billion state budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The veto follows a similar move by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, who recently struck down a $5 million appropriation for a comparable program. Both states’ budget bills had garnered support from ZeroEyes, a technology firm founded by military veterans in response to the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. ZeroEyes employs surveillance cameras and artificial intelligence to identify individuals carrying guns and promptly alert school administrators and law enforcement.
While other companies also offer gun surveillance systems, the Kansas legislation included a detailed list of specific criteria that only ZeroEyes currently meets. The Missouri budget bill was less specific but still contained several criteria that aligned with ZeroEyes’ capabilities.
In a letter to lawmakers explaining his veto, Parson noted that the appropriation seemed to favor a specific vendor’s platform. He emphasized that the Department of Public Safety must adhere to state purchasing laws rather than contracting with a particular vendor. Parson also cited a general need to cut spending as a reason for his decision. A spokesperson for ZeroEyes stated that no one was available for comment on Friday.
Several other states, including Iowa, Michigan, and Utah, have already enacted laws to fund firearms detection technology in schools. In the wake of numerous high-profile shootings, school security has evolved into a multibillion-dollar industry. Various states have also provided funding to equip staff with mobile panic buttons and to digitally map school buildings to facilitate quicker responses by police, firefighters, and emergency medical crews.
Overall, Parson said he made about $1 billion in line-item vetoes to the budget. One notable veto was for a $497 million transfer for renovations to the Capitol, which he deemed unnecessary at this time due to the lack of detailed plans. Another significant veto was $150 million out of a total $727 million earmarked for the improvement and expansion of Interstate 44, which runs west from St. Louis to the Oklahoma border.
Parson also reduced $6 million set aside for future National Guard missions to the southern U.S. border. Missouri troops deployed to the border in Texas have since returned, and Parson left $2 million in the budget for potential future missions. Additionally, numerous smaller items that Parson referred to as “unnecessary pet projects” were also axed.
The decision to veto the gun-detection surveillance funding has sparked a conversation about the balance between school safety and fiscal responsibility. While the technology promises to enhance security, the financial implications and the potential favoritism towards specific vendors have raised concerns.
The debate over the use of gun-detection technology in schools is likely to continue as states grapple with the best ways to protect students while managing budget constraints. As school security remains a pressing issue, the challenge will be finding solutions that are both effective and financially sustainable.
Source: Associated Press
