SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SJM 8017

              As Passed Senate, February 8, 1996

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:  2/28/95 [DP]; 1/18/96 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/15/95, 47-0; 2/8/96, 44-1.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Goings, Vice Chair; Finkbeiner, Hochstatter, Johnson, Pelz and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Susan Mielke (786-7422)

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:  This program is necessary to prevent firearms accidents among children.  It teaches a child what to do if they find a gun.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Janice Skinner, Active Disabilities of Grays Harbor.