After a long and difficult, on-again, off-again debate in the Maryland legislature, lawmakers in both houses have passed legislation that requires every public school district in the state to provide gun safety education in grades K-12.

The House of Delegates passed the final version of the bill by a 98-33 vote on April 5. The Senate passed the measure without debate less than a week later on a 36-10 roll call. Gov. Parris Glendening was expected to sign the bill into law, according to Associated Press.

Both the National Rifle Association and Marylanders Against Handgun Abuse were reported to be in support on the final language. Delays in passage of the bill, which had support among both liberal and conservative members of the General Assembly, were a result of concerns both groups had that the bill favored the opposite side.

In addition, many school districts and educators were opposed to the gun safety education proposal because they don’t like state lawmakers telling them what to do. In fact, some school district officials are already complaining that the gun education requirement is an unfunded mandate that will strain resources at the local level and interfere with academic programs.

Fiscal analysts estimate that the program will cost the state $89,000 to start by July 1, and $65,000 per year to run the program thereafter. They estimate it would cost about $350 per elementary school and $500 per high school each year.

The final language which was approved allows the school districts to adopt an existing gun safety class, including the NRA’s Eddie Eagle Program or one sponsored by the state’s anti-gun organization. The schools are also free to develop their own gun safety education curriculum.

The new law does not permit firearms to be used in a classroom in classes K-6. They could be used only in grades 7-12, as long as instruction takes place at a qualified shooting range rather than on school property.