Carolyn Kaster/AP
Sec. of Education Betsy DeVos told members of Congress that examining the role of guns would not be a focus of her school safety commission.
- Education Secretary Betsy DeVos says her school safety commission will not look at the role of guns in schools.
- The White House website, however, does mention age restrictions for firearms as an area of research.
- The commission was created in the aftermath of the deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Education Secretary Betsy DeVos says the federal commission on school safety set up after a Florida high school shooting won't be looking at the role of guns in school violence.
DeVos is telling a congressional hearing that's not part of the commission's charge.
She adds, "We are actually studying school safety and how we can ensure our students are safe at school."
At the same time, a fact sheet posted on the White House web site says the commission will study "age restrictions for certain firearm purchases" among other topics. The discrepancy was not immediately clear
When asked by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) if an 18-year old should be able to go into a gun store and "moments later come out with an AR-15-style gun and hundreds of rounds in ammunition," DeVos didn't give a direct answer, responding that the topic was "very much a matter for debate."
DeVos is chairing the panel that President Donald Trump created following the February shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Seventeen students were killed.