Posted by Phil Lee (216.250.238.17) on April 05, 2001 at 20:18:
ANNAPOLIS In Brief
Thursday, April 5, 2001; Page B04
Gun Safety Bill Reaches House Floor
Lawmakers stepped up the debate yesterday on a bill that would require public schools to teach children about gun safety.
After several setbacks, the bill made it to the House floor, where it met with resistance, this time from lawmakers questioning whether the bill is necessary and why the state would ask school districts to enact a program without providing the money to pay for it.
The Senate has passed a gun safety bill. The House could vote on its version as early as today.
Among items to be reconciled in a conference committee: a provision in the Senate bill calling for firearms safety instruction in kindergarten through grade 12. The House version calls for classes in kindergarten through grade 6 and either a firearms safety or hunting safety course in grades 7 through 12.
"I support gun safety," said Del. Brian R. Moe (D-Prince George's). "I just don't support the unfunded mandate part of it."
"It's another burden on the teacher," said Del. Joan Cadden (D-Anne Arundel). "Whether it's 20 minutes a day or 40 minutes a day or whatever, it takes time away from reading and other essentials."
Del. James W. Campbell (D-Baltimore), chairman of the House Ways and Means education subcommittee, defended the bill, saying the many accidents involving children and guns warrant it.
-- Tracey A. Reeves