The bill has passed its first reading in the house. It went to the House Committee on Education for debate on Monday.

Via Fox 8: 

North Carolina high schools could offer a class on gun safety this fall if a bill passes the state legislature. The class would also teach students about the math, history and science of guns.

FOX8 talked to several people about H.B. 612, who were divided on the issue. Some parents said teaching students about guns should be off limits in school. Others said this kind of course would teach kids respect for guns and possibly prevent violence.

"It would be a very beneficial course," said Tres Cobb. He's a gun owner and fully supports the bill.

"I think it would hurt and help. It's kind of like a catch-22," said Tanica Wilkerson.

"Handling, no. Teaching, you know, learning the mechanics, the designs, the many different firearms that there are, there's nothing wrong with that," Isiah King said. He says he opposes the bill if students are allowed to handle guns in the classroom.

H.B. 612 would allow the state to come up with a firearms education class, offered as an elective to high school students. The class would include "firearms safety education as recommend by law enforcement agencies or a firearms association."

The bill says live ammunition won't be allowed in class, but it doesn't specific whether guns can be present.

"Gives the kids a chance to learn how to work them," said Danny Davis, who support the bill.

Read more here.