The Need for Mental Health Awareness in Police Training

By Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer 

Recently in California, a 15-year-old autistic boy was shot and killed by police. Police responded to a call about the boy, and when they arrived the boy charged them with a gardening tool. The officer did not attempt to use any other technique to destress the situation, and instead shot and killed the boy. Incidents like this are not scarce and they are exactly why officers need to be trained on neurotypical behavior, mental illness, and disabilities. Our officers also need to be taught not to reach for their guns unless absolutely necessary. Despite years of discussion, we still see police killing innocent people instead of using other techniques to better the situation. As in this case, a 15-year-old boy should not have lost his life, but who should’ve been cared for and potentially brought to the ground if deemed dangerous.

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Louisiana Gun Laws Give Young Adults Right To Carry

By Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer

On February 28th, 2024 a bill was passed that allows Louisiana residents, 18 and older, to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. It is the first bill of its kind that applies to people this young. This bill will allow people to carry guns under their clothing without a government-issued permit, having to be fingerprinted, or completing a firearm training class. Law enforcement and government officials say that this bill is needed for citizens to be able to protect themselves at all times against criminals. 

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Bill to Support Sexual Assault Survivors

By Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer

Colorado State Legislature has introduced a bill that aims to protect sexual assault survivors when it comes to what can be presented as evidence during criminal hearings. This would eliminate the victim having a previous relationship with the accused as being legitimate evidence. A big part of this bill is to end victim blaming from entering the system. Victim blaming happens when the victim of a crime is blamed for the crime happening. This regularly occurs in sexual violence cases.

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Bail Reform in the Works

Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer 

The Georgia House of Representatives has passed a Republican-supported bill that approves a longer list of criminal offenses requiring cash bail. This will stop any charitable funds from being allowed as bail and send more people charged with misdemeanors to more dangerous prisons. Charitable groups can now only post up to three cash bonds in a year and if they go above this, they will also be charged with a misdemeanor. This is not the first time that Republicans have lengthened the list of crimes that require cash bail, with the current number recently surpassing 24. 

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