Arizona House gives early approval to bill requiring firearm safety instruction in K-12 schools

The state House gave early approval to a bill that would require gun safety to be taught in K-12 schools. All grades would get instruction that tells students what to do if they see a firearm.

The Department of Education would have to build a curriculum with the Department of Public Safety and Arizona Game and Fish Department.

“Training kids in an age appropriate manner on what to do with firearms if they see them, to go talk to an adult with that firearm. Not to pick it up, not to throw it around, not to point it at people,” said Republican Rep. Matt Gress

As the bill stands, it would prevent teachers from stating any moral judgement on owning a gun.

Opponents of the measure say it would not keep kids safe. Democratic Rep. Nancy Gutierrez proposed an amendment to expand misconduct laws for not taking steps to keep guns away from children.

“What this bill actually does is put the onus of gun safety on our children instead of where it needs to be, and where ‘Christian’s Law’ puts it, which is on parents,” Gutierrez said.

“Christian’s Law” is proposed legislation from Democrats that would require parents to keep ammunition or firearms locked away. Legislators have brought it in an attempt to reduce gun deaths in minors.

One Democrat voted along with Republicans in passing the bill in the Senate in February.

The bill awaits a final vote on the House floor.