HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SJM 8017

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                          Education

Brief Description:  Encouraging schools to provide an elementary gun safety program.

Sponsors:  Senators Rasmussen, Roach, Hochstatter, Long, Hargrove, Johnson and Sheldon.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Education:  3/28/95, 3/31/95 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives Brumsickle, Chairman; Elliot, Vice Chairman; Johnson, Vice Chairman; Clements; Dickerson; G. Fisher; Hatfield; McMahan; Pelesky; Quall; Radcliff; Smith; Talcott; B. Thomas and Thompson.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Cole, Ranking Minority Member.

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

Background:  The National Rifle Association, in cooperation with education professionals and others, has developed the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program.  The program is designed for children in prekindergarten through sixth grade.  It teaches the fundamentals of firearms safety to children and emphasizes correct safety procedures through workbooks, games, a video, class discussion, and role-playing scenarios.  Eddie Eagle is the program's feathered mascot.

Summary of Bill:  A memorial is sent to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and each public school district in the state.  The memorial encourages school districts to promote the use of the National Rifle Association's Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program to help prevent firearms accidents among children.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  With the large number of guns in our society, we must teach our young children not to touch guns.  The Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program has the effect of putting "Mr. Yuk" stickers on guns.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Rasmussen, prime sponsor.