Arizona: Education bill to teach gun safety in school (and shootin' too).

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AZRickD

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This has been literally sailing through the legislature.

http://www.azleg.state.az.us/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=SB1271&image.x=25&image.y=9
Section 1. Title 15, chapter 7, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-714.01, to read:

15-714.01. Arizona gun safety program course

A. IN ADDITION TO THE VOLUNTARY TRAINING IN THE USE OF BOWS AND FIREARMS PRESCRIBED IN SECTIONS 15-713 AND 15-714, EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CHARTER SCHOOL MAY OFFER AS AN ELECTIVE COURSE A ONE-SEMESTER COURSE IN FIREARM MARKSMANSHIP THAT SHALL BE DESIGNATED AS THE ARIZONA GUN SAFETY PROGRAM COURSE.

B. A PUPIL SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED THE ARIZONA GUN SAFETY PROGRAM COURSE BY DEMONSTRATING THAT THE PUPIL HAS THE ABILITY TO SAFELY DISCHARGE A FIREARM.

C. THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION PRESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE JOINTLY DEVELOPED BY THE ARIZONA GAME AND FISH COMMISSION, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND PRIVATE FIREARMS ORGANIZATIONS AND MAY INCLUDE MATERIALS PROVIDED BY PRIVATE YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS. AT A MINIMUM, THE ARIZONA GUN SAFETY PROGRAM COURSE SHALL INCLUDE:

1. INSTRUCTION ON THE RULES OF GUN SAFETY.
2. INSTRUCTION ON THE BASIC OPERATION OF FIREARMS.
3. INSTRUCTION ON THE HISTORY OF FIREARMS AND MARKSMANSHIP.
4. INSTRUCTION ON THE ROLE OF FIREARMS IN PRESERVING PEACE AND FREEDOM.
5. INSTRUCTION ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL ROOTS OF THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS.
6. INSTRUCTION ON THE USE OF CLAY TARGETS.
7. PRACTICE TIME AT A SHOOTING RANGE.
8. DEMONSTRATION OF COMPETENCE WITH A FIREARM.
D. SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS SHALL ARRANGE FOR ADEQUATE USE OF SHOOTING RANGE TIME BY PUPILS IN THE ARIZONA GUN SAFETY PROGRAM COURSE AT ANY ESTABLISHED SHOOTING RANGE.
E. PUPILS WHO SATISFACTORILY COMPLETE THE ARIZONA GUN SAFETY PROGRAM COURSE SHALL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT.
F. INSTRUCTORS SHALL BE CERTIFIED BY THE ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT.
G. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO LIMIT OR EXPAND THE LIABILITY OF ANY PERSON UNDER OTHER PROVISIONS OF LAW.
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INSTRUCTORS SHALL BE CERTIFIED BY THE ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT
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:confused:

How about an NRA certified instructor?

Interesting that Arizona would offer this. How about Federal law and guns within a school zone?
 
Darkmind - You might want think a bit more before moving here for the schools. AZ only beats out Mississippi for public school funding. Not to say that kids who go to AZ schools are a write-off - some schools are, even by national standards, pretty decent. But overall I have a hard time believing that Michigan schools are anything but better on average.
 
But overall I have a hard time believing that Michigan schools are anything but better on average.
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Trust me they are not great at all. Keep your eye out for my hundreds of spelling and grammar mistakes, which should tell you something.
 
Very cool.

I've long used as a litmus test for those who would restrict firearms "for the children" the following question: "Do you support gun handling education for school children ?" Their answer reveals whether they are genuinely interested in making kids safer, or if they just have the usual anti-gun agenda using kids as a shield.
 
I thought there was a 'except for approved school sponsored activities' exception in the gun-free school zone laws.
 
The "other" big city paper here in the Phoenix area is the East Valley Tribune, which is much closer to unbiased than is the leftist Arizona Republic. The Tribune ran an article on this bill on the front page earlier this week.

Naturally, they got some response letters, mostly negative. The general theme of those negative letters was that "children are not responsible enough to handle guns".

Oddly enough, the "children" that are proposed to be taught about firearms are the same ones we already teach about automobile driving and sexual issues in school. It's funny how, according to the naysayers, kids are purportedly responsible enough to drive and responsible enough to make sexual choices, but NOT responsible enough to operate a firearm. Hmmmmmm.........
 
Oh Ye of little faith. Let me answer the questions from the nay sayers and curious:

It's moving pretty well, but it ain't law yet and the Demo Governor (Janet Napolitano) has to sign it. She wants to paint herself as a "moderate." Let's see where she stands.

Waitone exclaimed: "Nice start. Never happen."

This details the bill's progress though the Senatorial legislative maze:

1) Senate COMMITTEE ACTION 01/26/05 K12ED 02/02/05 Vote: (8-0)

That is, an 8-0 vote in the liberal K-12 education committee including three liberal Democrats who normally vote against pro RKBA bills. One guy, Senator Chevront joked after his committee vote that the NRA would ruin his reputation by improving his NRA (F) rating.

2) THIRD READ: DATE 02/17/05 AYES 30 NAYS 0

That is, a unanimous vote in the Committee of the Whole (COW).

In the House: COMMITTEES: ASSIGNED COMMITTEES ACTION
02/23/05 ED 03/02/05 (7-1-0-2-0)

Seven to One in the House Education Committee.

------------------

Lenny Joe asked, "How about an NRA certified instructor?"

The Arizona Game & Fish Department are running a similar program currently (trap shooting). This is an expansion. They testified forcifully in favor of this bill. It is unknown how G&F will interpret this clause, but I'd wager that plenty of NRA certified instructors will be teaching this course.

Lenny Joe also, "How about Federal law and guns within a school zone?"

Not an issue. The actual range time will be at established ranges throughout the state of Arizona. In Arizona one is allowed to bring firearms to school for purposes of training. Some schools still have shooting ranges.

Sumpnz said, "AZ only beats out Mississippi for public school funding."

School funding has little to do with achievement. Just ask the kids in the Washington D.C. school system. They get the most per student of any district in the country. They are the worst, academically.

Arizona has good and bad public schools. We also have more charter schools than any state in the country. We have a vibrant private school community and home schooling network (one kid was the National Spelling Bee Champ).

While I'm at it, might I plug the Wickenburg High School High Power Rifle Team whose members joined the Arizona Jr team to take 2nd place at Camp Perry last year?

That would be these guys (and gals) with National Match AR15s.

http://www.members.cox.net/azjrhp/azjrhp.htm

Back to the issue. There is no organized opposition to this bill. The antis were not to be seen in the committeed rooms when I was there. No comments in the press.

I predict a signature from Janet Napolitano, a Demo Governor who wants to be perceived as a moderate, and possibly a VP slot in 2008 (or a Cabinet position).

Now that I'm done, have any of you gone to the azleg site and told the legislators (and the Governor) to support this bill?

Rick
 
AZRickD
Sumpnz said, "AZ only beats out Mississippi for public school funding."

School funding has little to do with achievement. Just ask the kids in the Washington D.C. school system. They get the most per student of any district in the country. They are the worst, academically.
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Kindly note the rest of my previous post to this thread.
We have a vibrant private school community and home schooling network (one kid was the National Spelling Bee Champ).
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Since we were talking about state funded, public schools I fail to see the relevance of that comment.

Aside from that, I appreciate the info and I certainly hope the measure passes.
 
Lennyjoe,

The reason they probably aren't asking for "NRA certification" is that the NRA is a PRIVATE organization. Generally speaking, you wouldn't codify GM or Ford into law as providing vehicles, would you?

Now, what will realistically happen is that the AZ game&fish organization will list a number of requirements and that "NRA certifiction meets all requirements", as well as certain military training, other organizations, etc.
 
"Do you support gun handling education for school children ?" Their answer reveals whether they are genuinely interested in making kids safer, or if they just have the usual anti-gun agenda using kids as a shield.
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Well, yeah, but shouldn't we all be trying to create a world in which violence would never rear its ugly head?

Oh. Wait. Sorry. I thought I was a leftist air brain there for a minute. Won't happen again.
 
Sumpnz said, "Since we were talking about state funded, public schools I fail to see the relevance of that comment."

In Arizona, home schooled kids are eligible for such activities by Arizona Revised Statute. I'll have to talk to the author of the bill, but I don't see any reason why a private school student couldn't utilize this program.

Sumpnz also said, "Kindly note the rest of my previous post to this thread."

I did. You said that "some schools are pretty decent." But my response was more comprehensive.

Sumpnz also said, "I have a hard time believing that Michigan schools are anything but better on average."

Think Detroit Public Schools. :(

Let's not hi-jack this thread beyond teaching gun safety in schools.

Thanks,

Rick
 
the Demo Governor (Janet Napolitano) has to sign it. She wants to paint herself as a "moderate." Let's see where she stands.
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Hopefully she’ll learn from Ann Richards’ mistakes. Ann , as a popular governor of Texas, vetoed CCW for Texas, leading to her being defeated by George W. Bush for governor.

Napolitano has some backtracking to do after the fiasco of renaming Squaw Peak as “Pissed-away†Peak. She ran over existing policy regarding renaming public venues. When a state government bureaucrat protested, she had her attack dog threaten him. The attack dog eventually went to work for the Kerry campaign.
 
Don't forget Napalitano sigend a declaration honoring Ben Avery Shooting Range as one of the "jewels of the state". She is not a total anti by any means.
 
Well, if she has Fyfe for an opponent next time, I'd say she's a virtual shoe-in no matter her stance on guns, taxes, abortion, and the environment. And yes, I do know his convictions were overturned on appeal, but most people still think he's dirty.
 
Update (better late than never).

Guv Janet signed this one (since it requires nothing actually be done of substance unless gunnies get off their butts and start demanding actual classes).

And Guv Janet vetoed the "Restaurant Carry Bill" because police lobbyists were against it. 11 years ago LEO lobbyists were against the CCW bill that passed. I guess she would have vetoed that as well.

Rick
 
I have to move to Arizona, that's one state that has the right idea. My school offered hunter's safety, thought that was cool. That was back when grades 1-12 were all in the same building and my town was nothing but farms.

Now it's been corrupted by all the city folk looking to find a safer place to raise thier kids. Now we can't even shoot our guns anywhere near town w/o 10 cruisers showing up because of the same city folk complaining about the noise. Gee, why do they think our town is "safer"?
 
This is great but there needs to be a mandatory component of how to handle or not handle a gun. The part about actually how to shoot should be the voluntary part. Is there a basic gun safety component?

What I am looking for is not only to ensure that children know what a gun is and that they take it seriously, but to diffuse the argument the hand wringers use about trigger locks and other for-the-children impositions on gun rights and personal privacy.
 
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