NRA Applauds The Maryland House For Passing Gun-Safety Education Bill

(Fairfax, VA)--In a tremendous victory for the citizens of Maryland, today the House of Delegates passed a bill on second reading that will provide for gun-safety education in all schools. H.B. 791, sponsored by House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr. and backed by the National Rifle Association, gives power to the counties when it comes to deciding which gun-safety program to implement. "The NRA commends House Speaker Taylor for tirelessly fighting to preserve local control when it comes to teaching kids firearm safety and responsibility," said Greg Costa, NRA lobbyist for Maryland. "Today marks a victory against organizations like Marylanders Against Handgun Abuse, who attempted to hijack this legislation in favor of anti-gun rights programs. H.B. 791 puts gun-safety where it should be, in the hands of the local school boards, not the state. Counties will be able to select the best program for their community and culture to ensure that children are safer than ever around firearms." The bill will allow schools to pick from numerous gun-safety programs for elementary aged children, including the Eddie Eagle GunSafe program. Over the past 12 years, Eddie Eagle has taught millions of kids to "Stop! Don`t touch. Leave the area. Tell an adult," when they come across a firearm in an unsupervised situation. This bill will also give rural counties the option to teach hunter safety education to teenagers grades 7-12. Final passage of H.B. 791 is anticipated in the next several days.