Legislature Passes Gleason Legislation to Heighten Safety for Michigan Residents and Students

Gleason bills will encourage gun safety education for students, help cleanup contaminated sites in local communities, and strengthen health regulations in tattoo parlors

LANSING—The Michigan Legislature recently voted to pass several bills sponsored by Senator John J. Gleason, including his legislation to increase programs for gun safety in public schools. Under Senate Bill 1402, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is required to develop or adopt a model gun safety program based on the “Eddie Eagle” curriculum developed by the National Rifle Association to promote gun accident prevention. Beginning in the 2011 – 2012 school year public schools across the state will be encouraged to adopt the model program developed by the MDE.

“Eddie the Eagle is a friendly character with a serious lesson who can teach our children how to stay safe when they encounter a firearm,” said Senator Gleason. “This program can save lives by promoting caution, safety and responsibility. The incidents of kids accidentally discharging or firing a gun are an avoidable tragedy, and this program can help prevent those.”

The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program began in 1988 to educate children pre-Kindergarten through Third Grades. Its four step message for children who find a gun is simple, “STOP. Don’t touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.” The program has reached more than 21 million children and was developed with the cooperative efforts of such qualified professionals as clinical psychologists, teachers, and law enforcement personnel. Read the Full Article