SJM 8009 - H AMD 494 FAILED 4-9-97

By Representative Costa

On page 1 after line 18, strike all material down to and including AState.@ on page 2, line 25 and insert the following:

"WHEREAS, Fortunately, education professionals, firearms safety experts, and others have developed gun safety programs designed for children in the early grades; and

WHEREAS, The Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program developed by the National Rifle Association and the STAR program (Straight Talk about Risks) developed by the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence are two such programs that teach the fundamentals of firearms safety to children in an effective and enjoyable way, emphasizing the need to stay away from guns and to report guns to a responsible adult; and

WHEREAS, These worthwhile programs are available at nominal costs; and

WHEREAS, Teaching children to act safely around firearms is a critical step in the effort to reduce the number of firearms accidents among children;

NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the school districts of the State of Washington promote the use of gun safety programs in our schools to help prevent firearms accidents among children.

BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Terry Bergeson, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and to the Superintendent of each public school district in Washington State.@