Resolution on Child Firearms Safety Exposed

The Resolution on Child Firearms Safety is listed under ALEC's Public Safety and Elections Task Force and was included in the 1995 ALEC Sourcebook of American State Legislation. ALEC has attempted to distance itself from this piece of legislation after the launch of ALECexposed.org in 2011, but it has done nothing to get it repealed in the states where it previously pushed for it to be made into law.

ALEC Resolution Text

WHEREAS, our children regularly face situations in the home, and in other children's homes, that could place them in potential danger if they are ignorant of the hazards; and

WHEREAS, these hazards are many and serious, among them: unsupervised swimming pools, power tools, household chemicals, and electrical appliances; and

WHEREAS, parents and educators across the country realize that children should be taught responsible ways to deal with potentially hazardous household objects and situations; and

WHEREAS, education programs for our children on these common hazards should be available in schools and, in fact, programs such as bicycle safety, fire safety, and traffic safety are already integrated into many schools' curricula; and

WHEREAS, seventy million law-abiding Americans own and keep firearms in their homes and unsupervised children may encounter these firearms; and

WHEREAS, the National Rifle Association has developed the innovative and straightforward NRA Gun Safety Program that leaves children with this simple message: "If you see a gun, leave it alone, don't touch it, tell an adult;" and

WHEREAS, the NRA is recognized widely as the authority in teaching gun safety and marksmanship, having trained millions of Americans through training and marksmanship courses, Police Athletic Leagues, gun clubs, scout troops, 4-H programs and American Legion posts for more than a century; and

WHEREAS, the NRA Gun Safety Program was developed by educators to present a balanced, factual message, and neither encourages nor discourages gun ownership; and

WHEREAS, the NRA Gun Safety Program has been endorsed by educators and law enforcement officers; and

WHEREAS, teachers and police departments in 42 states already have implemented the NRA Gun Safety Program in some elementary schools;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the American Legislative Exchange Council endorses the NRA Gun Safety Program and recommends that state and local education officials implement this worthwhile program in the schools as soon as possible.

ALEC's Sourcebook of American State Legislation 1995