No one wants to see a child die and there is little that is sadder than the preventable death of a child. The question we raise today is, what is an appropriate legislative response to a sad, isolated incident? Assembly member Martin Block responded to one sad incident by introducing AB 1820, which says.

“It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would prohibit the use or possession of push pins on the premises of a child day care facility, preschool, or kindergarten classroom.”

Just last year, Governor Jerry Brown vetoed legislation that imposed criminal penalties on parents when children didn’t wear helmets on the slopes:

“While I appreciate the value of wearing a ski helmet, I am concerned about the continuing and seemingly inexorable transfer of authority from parents to the state. Not every human problem deserves a law.”

Assembly member Block noted in a press release that there is “no known opposition” to the bill. We stand with the Governor against this bill and other continuing and seemingly inexorable transfers of authority to the state. Patriots call this tyranny and allowing it to grow unchecked eventually chokes freedom from our entire society.