Lawmakers in the Sooner State this week gave a thumbs-up to a proposal that would see the subject of gun safety added to students’ curriculum. 

House Bill 3312 easily passed the Oklahoma House on Monday in an 84-10 vote, largely along party lines. The measure, supported by Republicans, would mandate that both public and charter schools offer yearly firearm safety lessons tailored to different age groups. These lessons would cover safe ways to store firearms, what to do if students come across a gun, and why it’s important to tell a responsible adult.

The curriculum would be developed jointly by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Council on Law Enforcement and Training.

"This bill focuses on awareness, responsibility, and making sure students receive consistent age-appropriate safety instruction," explained the bill's sponsor, state Rep. Ryan Eaves (R-Atoka).

HB 3312 now heads to the state Senate for further consideration. The body has a 40-8 GOP supermajority. Passage there would send it to Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, who is pro-gun and often takes part in the Annual Governors' Forum at SHOT Show. 

Should HB 3312 become law, it would follow a similar mandate in Utah adopted last year. 

Banner image: A Ruger MKIV .22 LR and a Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C reactive target. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)