HELENA, Mont. (NMB) – Capital High School senior Amanda Penley says one way to reduce gun violence in Montana is through public education.
Tim Pierce with the UM Legislative News Service reports, Penley and 11 other students from across the state spoke in support of House Bill 477 in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday.
“Today, we are presenting a bill that is the product of dozens of meetings with students, teachers, parents and gun owners from across the state.”
The bill, sponsored by Representative Moffie Funk from Helena, would require the state Office of Public Instruction to develop and maintain a firearms safety course that local districts can choose to adopt.
Funk says OPI has some gun safety education on their website, which is based off of NRA suggestions, but says it’s pretty inaccessible.
“It’s extremely difficult to find. I searched and searched and finally reached out to OPI and they sent me a direct link.”
The House passed the bill last month with a 61 to 35 vote.
