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House divides over mandatory school gun‑safety classes; bill circled for more work
Summary
A proposal to require firearms safety instruction in elementary and middle schools prompted extended floor debate over whether the program should be mandatory or recommended; members adopted committee amendments and ultimately voted to 'circle' the bill for further drafting.
House members spent more than an hour debating substitute House Bill 126, a measure to introduce firearms‑safety education in K–8 schools. The bill, sponsored on the floor by Representative Hayman, envisaged a voluntary, certified‑instructor curriculum offered once during grades K–4 and once during grades 5–8, with parental opt‑out.
Supporters, including Representative Hayman and Representative Shepherd (speaking for Representative Karen Smith), said committee amendments addressed concerns about volunteer instructor availability and allowed school districts to use classroom teachers or locally developed materials when needed. "We have had discussions with NRA and UEA and other organizations, and everybody seems to be in favor of these amendments," Shepherd said on the floor.
Opponents pressed for local control and parental authority. Representative Jensen proposed changing the bill’s language from "mandatory" to "recommended," arguing local school boards and parents should decide whether to adopt the curriculum. "If we change that word to 'recommended,' we... preserve local option," Jensen said. Other members said safety curricula (fire, earthquake) are already mandated and defended the mandate with an opt‑out process.
Amendments were debated and adopted; the motion to circle the bill — effectively postponing final action while lawmakers refine language — passed on a recorded procedural vote (motion to circle: 39 yes, 29 no). Lawmakers indicated they intend further work to reconcile statewide safety goals with local control concerns before the bill returns to the floor.
The floor action left open whether the program will become a state requirement or a strong recommendation, and spared the House an immediate final vote while giving committee drafters time to resolve disputed language.
