MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — On Tuesday, parents received a letter from Montgomery County Public Schools that a gun education program would be implemented for all high school students. Parents and guardians were told, however, that they can remove their children from the instruction if they wish. Students that have opted out of the assembly will remain in class, according to an MCPS official.
The program will be given through school assemblies and is done in partnership with the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office and the Montgomery County Police Department, according to a letter sent to parents. The assemblies will be presented by staff from the State's Attorney's Office, according to an MCPS official.
MCPS officials said that this education program differs from emergency preparedness drills because the drills do not have a gun education element to them. Officials said the drills only cover lockdown, lockdown with options, shelter in place and evacuation preparedness.
The letter states that students will learn the consequences of breaking gun laws and strategies to solve problems without implementing weapons or violence. This program will also be pushing the "see something, say something" initiative.
WUSA9 asked if mental health resources will be provided at the assemblies and MCPS responded claiming that mental health resources are available at schools anytime upon request. It is still unclear what the process is for inquiring about mental health resources in schools.
The letter also states that the students will be taught how to recognize signs of someone intending to harm themself or others. The Maryland Tip Line will also be part of the lesson, according to the letter.
In the state of Maryland, it is not legal for anyone under the age of 21 to possess a firearm and anyone older than 16 that is found in possession of a firearm will be charged as an adult, according to the letter.
As an additional reminder to parents, MCPS emphasized in the letter that serious disciplinary action will be applied that aligns "with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct and potentially in violation of local, state and federal law."
According to the letter, around 790 illegal guns have been seized this year thus far, as of Aug. 14 in Montgomery Co.
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