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Minutes for SB116 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Standardizing firearms safety programs in school districts.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 8, 2023
Jason Long, Office of the Revisor of Statutes gave an overview of the bill. He stated SB116 would require the State Board of Education to establish curriculum guidelines for a standardized firearm safety education program. The bill would require the guidelines to be based on existing programs, specifically, the Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program offered by the National Rifle Association, and the Hunter Education In Our Schools Program. (Attachment 1)
The Chairman called for proponent testimony on the bill.
Proponent oral testimony:
Representative Patrick Penn spoke as a proponent of the bill. He questioned why the Department of Education raised the fiscal impact drastically from 2021 to 2023, stating the program saves lives at little cost to the state. He said passing SB116 ensures Kansas children are educated on firearm safety and prevents tragedies. He reiterated it leaves the decision whether to offer the programs up to school boards. (Attachment 2)
Representative Rebecca Schmoe spoke as a proponent of the bill. She stated we are struggling as a nation to find common ground, and the safety of our children should be something we can find common ground on. "Education actually saves lives. Education is where we start." She questioned why would we exclude firearm safety education, when we teach kids fire safety, stranger danger, etc. "Who wouldn't want to give children tools to avoid tragedy?" (Attachment 3)
Moriah Day, Executive Director, Kansas State Rifle Association, spoke as a proponent of the bill. He stated he hopes the committee will continue to support the bill, and directed the Committee to his written testimony. (Attachment 4)
Travis Couture-Lovelady, State Director-Kansas, National Rifle Association (NRA), spoke as a proponent of the bill. He stated the NRA stands in support, as they have in the past, and noted there is no NRA branding in the program. "Its very effective and has been around for 35 years and has trained millions of kids." (Attachment 5)
Tammy Bartels, private citizen, spoke as a proponent of the bill. She stated she has been a firearm instructor, and knows the value of gun safety training, and has trained many children. She stated students need to be trained on what to do if another student brings a gun to school. "This is not new or revolutionary", but standardizes the curriculum. She also questioned the increase in cost as estimated by the Department of Education. (Attachment 6)
Following each proponent, there was a period of questions and answers.
Proponents providing written testimony:
Kent Keene, Assistant Manager, Lower Midwestern States and Agricultural Policy, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (Attachment 7)
Sven Lindquist, President, Safari Club International (Attachment 8)
Darren Lasorte, Director, Government Relations, National Shooting Sports Foundation (Attachment 9)
Neutral written testimony:
Scott Rothschild, Communications Editor, Kansas Association of School Boards (Attachment 10)
Opponent oral testimony:
Aarushi Pore, student and private citizen, spoke as an opponent of the bill. She said students live in fear every day at school that it will be their last. She said the bill does nothing prevent tragedies, but just "pushes an agenda". She stated the program does not work in real life settings, and is ineffective. (Attachment 11)
Ephren Taylor, student and private citizen, spoke as an opponent of the bill. He stated it's concerning that 20% to 50% of gun owners aren't practicing gun safety, and the focus should be on the parents, not kids. He said the program isn't shown to be effective, and the bill chooses NRA for the program, because it's about promoting the NRA to kids. "We want education not indoctrination." (Attachment 12)
Opponents providing written testimony:
Ann Mah and Dr. Deena Horst, Legislative Liaisons, Kansas State Board of Education (Attachment 13)
Colleen Cunningham, private citizen (Attachment 14)
Lene Brooke, private citizen (Attachment 15)
Jo Dee Adelung, private citizen (Attachment 16)
Carl Reed, private citizen (Attachment 17)
Pat Gouger, private citizen (Attachment 18)
Lauren Tice Miller, Director of Government Relations and Elections, Kansas National Education Association (Attachment 19)
Patty Jurick, Kansas Parent Teacher Association President (Attachment 20)
Following the oral opponent testimony, the Chairman opened for questions and answers. Seeing no more questions, the Chairman closed the hearing on SB116.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 11:37 am.
