EDUCATION + SCHOOLS
Utah lawmaker to bring back bill proposing high school gun safety classes
Jul 20, 2021, 6:00 AM
FILE PHOTO: experts still say the number of gun deaths and gun suicide is a big concern. (University of Utah)
(University of Utah)
CEDAR CITY, Utah — Utah Rep. Rex Shipp (R-Cedar City) is considering running a bill proposing gun safety classes in some public high schools during next year’s legislative session. Shipp sponsored a similar bill during the 2021 session, but it failed to pass the Senate.
A self-proclaimed lifelong gun owner, Shipp says learning how to safely handle a firearm is crucial in a state where guns are so prevalent.
“If they’re handled safely, they’re as safe as can be,” Shipp explains. “I’ve handled firearms since I was a small child, and was taught by my father and brothers, and we’ve had some great experiences with shooting and hunting.”
Utah Lawmaker Considers Revamping Firearm Safety Bill – https://t.co/70UTjJoBA7 https://t.co/bdPcg9QKR6?
— Tamara Vaifanua (@TamaraVaifanua) July 19, 2021
Shipp tells KSL TV such classes might have prevented an accidental fatal shooting of a teenager over the weekend in West Jordan, but there’s no way to be sure.
“I’m assuming these teenagers did not have proper training on how to safely handle a firearm,” says Shipp.
UPDATE: West Jordan Police say two teens snuck out of their homes early Saturday morning and met in a church parking lot. One brought a handgun. Later a call to 911 revealed someone had been shot. @WJ_Police #gunsafety https://t.co/mOeL2wxtyB
— KSL NewsRadio (@kslnewsradio) July 17, 2021
The bill proposes a 3-year pilot program in some schools using a plastic replica, and the gun safety class would be taught as an elective.
