BILL REQ. #:  S-5339.1 

Read first time 03/21/12.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     TO THE HONORABLE RANDY DORN, SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, THE DIRECTORS OF ALL LICENSED CHILD CARE, PRESCHOOL, AND EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS, AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN WASHINGTON STATE:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, The loss of a child as the result of a firearms accident is a tragic event made worse because it is often preventable; and
     WHEREAS, Federal officials estimate that our nation has approximately two hundred million or more firearms in private ownership that are potential accidents waiting to happen in the hands of an unsuspecting child; and
     WHEREAS, Many children play with toy guns that closely resemble real weapons and watch television programs and movies that routinely portray the irresponsible and unsafe handling of guns, which are factors that tend to blur the distinction between make-believe and reality, and encourage unsafe behavior; and
     WHEREAS, The National Rifle Association, education professionals, urban housing safety officials, clinical psychologists, and law enforcement working together have developed the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program designed for children in prekindergarten through third grade; and
     WHEREAS, The Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program intends to ensure that children stay safe should they encounter a gun and never mentions the National Rifle Association or encourages children to buy guns or become Association members; and
     WHEREAS, Since the program began in 1988, the Gun Safety Program has reached more than twenty-one million children, in all fifty states; and
     WHEREAS, Participating children receive certificates of merit and stickers and posters of Eddie Eagle, the program's lovable feathered mascot, in addition to important safety training that could save a life; and
     WHEREAS, Available free or at nominal cost, this program is gaining popularity in many of our state's school districts and police departments; and
     WHEREAS, Teaching children to act safely around firearms is a critical educational step in the effort to reduce the number of firearms accidents among children;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that licensed child care, preschool, and early learning programs, and the school districts of the State of Washington promote the use of the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program in our licensed child care, preschool, and early learning programs, and schools to help prevent firearms accidents among children.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Randy Dorn, the directors of all licensed child care, preschool, and early learning programs, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Superintendent of each public school district in Washington State.