Education Secretary Betsy DeVos told senators this week that the role of guns in school shootings is “not part of the commission’s charge, per se.”
The news puzzled senators who questioned how they could avoid the topic.
“So we’ll look at gun violence in schools, but not look at guns? An interesting concept,” Senator Patrick J. Leahy said in response.
The Commission was established after the Parkland Florida shooting that killed 17 students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February.
Instead it will look at areas including age restrictions on some gun purchases; the ratings systems for video games and the effect of “violent entertainment”; and other discipline “alternatives”.
“Our focus is on raising up successful, proven techniques and approaches to ensuring schools are safe for students to attend,” Ms. DeVos said.
Sorry Republicans – we’re sure that includes a ban on firearms too.
