TOPEKA, Kans. — Today, the Kansas chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement applauding Kansas Governor Laura Kelly for vetoing House Bill 2304, a bill that requires children enrolled in firearm safety training programs in public schools to go through the National Rifle Association’s “Eddie Eagle” program. The program was deemed ineffective by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“Today, Governor Kelly stood up for our families and communities and proved that the NRA won’t write the rules when it comes to our safety,” said Shannon Little, a volunteer with the Kansas chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Kansas lawmakers should be passing bills to help curb gun violence, not misplacing responsibility on children. We thank Governor Kelly for vetoing this bill and focusing on actual gun safety measures.”
Lawmakers passed this bill despite hearing testimony in opposition from Kansas Moms Demand Action volunteers and Kansas education professionals, including the Kansas State Board of Education, Kansas PTA, Kansas National Education Association.
In an average year, 456 people die and 655 are wounded by guns in Kansas. An average of 52 children and teens die by guns every year, of which 47% of these deaths are suicides and 49% are homicides. Gun violence in Kansas costs $1,958 per person each year. Gun deaths and injuries cost Kansas $5.7 billion each year, of which $95.1 million is paid by taxpayers
More information about gun violence in Kansas is available here.
