The father of one of the victims of the 2014 mass attack in Santa Barbara County shares his story with lawmakers in hopes it will push them to ban guns from schools.
The bill from Sacramento Democrat Assemblyman Kevin McCarty would reduce the number of guns on school campuses, making school campuses safer and fulfilling the original intent of California’s Gun Free School Zones law.
Richard Martinez, whose 20-year-old son Christopher was shot and killed by Elliot Rodger in Isla Vista, thinks that could make an already tense and violent situation far more complicated.
"Law enforcement doesn't always know who the shooter is," says Martinez. "He could be dressed as a security guard."
However, Sam Paredes, director of Gun Owners of California, says lives will be lost if the bill passes.
"Most shootings happen in less than two minutes," explains Paredes. "If someone isn't there and isn't prepared and able to stop a bad guy with a gun, there will be victims."
The bill was approved by a 5-2 vote of the Assembly Public Safety Committee. It will move on to the Appropriations Committee.