Nichole Osinski

nosinski@thespectrum.com

A bill that would fund optional gun safety training for Utah students was signed and approved by Gov. Gary Herbert this week.

Senate Bill 43, sponsored by Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, is now set to provide $75,000 to public schools, including charter schools, for a firearm safety and violence prevention course on a first-come first-serve basis. It becomes law on July 1.

Money for the program will come from the state’s education fund.

The bill, minus a few current revisions, had already been brought before the Senate last year, passing in March in a landslide margin. But lack of time meant it was never able to be considered by the state House of Representatives during that time.

This year, the process was started at an earlier date to make sure the bill made it all the way through. In January, the Senate committee voted 4-0 to advance the proposal before moving onto the full Senate for discussion.

The pilot program will use the funding to hire an individual or organization outside of the school system to provide students in grades 5 through 12 with the optional training.

The instructions will include lessons on what students should do if there is a threat against the school. Additional instruction will include how students should proceed if they encounter a firearm and incorporate the concept of stop, don’t touch and call for help if they do find a gun.

Weiler said the Legislature also added a section in the bill that would make the training available through video or online materials. Instructions will also need to be politically neutral when discussing guns.

“I think some conservative Republicans feared there would be an anti-gun vent to the presentation and I think some Democrats feared there would be a pro-gun vent to the presentation,” Weiler said.”

According to Scott Jones, Utah State Office of Education deputy superintendent of business and operations, the State Board of Education, in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General, will select a provider who will supply the materials and curriculum for the pilot program.

“The board with get the request for proposal and find a provider per the legislation,” Jones said. “Once we have the provider, it’s up to the local districts whether they participate in the pilot program or not.”

According to Weiler, firearms will not be used during the training sessions. Students would have to get written approval from a parent or guardian to participate in the program

Weiler said he came up with the idea for the bill after hearing about an incident in 2014 where a 12-year-old girl died after her sister accidentally shot her after she picked up a gun left in their home.

“When it comes to the interest and the safety of children, we’re always looking at that,” Jones said. “Any program that promotes their safety is a good program.”

Follow Nichole Osinski on Twitter, @nrosinski, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/osinskireporter. Call her at 435-674-6231.

Popular stories

Cruz, Sanders clear favorites with Utah voters

Utah caucus brings clashing feelings for GOP, Dems

Donald Trump Jr. seeks Utah's support for his father