Washington Senate Passes Funding For School Security

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington lawmakers are moving ahead with their first education-spending bill of the year. The state Senate voted Monday to approve a $500 million in school construction bonds. Ten million of that would go to equip every school with a panic alarm by 2014, among other security measures.

Democratic Sen. Sharon Nelson said this was a step toward increasing gun safety. She says her next goal is to create more background checks for gun buyers.

“I think the public is willing to go there, as far as making sure if someone has a criminal history or problems, we’re not going to be selling them a gun.”

On Wednesday, Washington lawmakers will hear testimony on four gun bills in Olympia. Those include a proposal for background checks whenever a gun changes owners.

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