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By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Wednesday, April 21, 1999

The shootings at a suburban Denver high school on Tuesday came as state lawmakers continue to be locked in debate over three gun-related bills that have dominated the legislative session this year. And, with the National Rifle Association holding its national convention in Denver at the end of the month, the debate isn't likely to subside soon.

"I would feel safer knowing that there was a teacher at my kid's school who was a concealed weapons permit holder who could intervene in a situation like this." – Colorado House Majority Leader Doug Dean (R), on Tuesday's school shootings. (The Denver Post, April 21)

• Tragedy Focuses Attention on Gun Bills (The Denver Post, April 21)
• More Guns Equal Less Crime, Advocate Says (The Denver Post, April 20)
• NRA Nears Its Agenda Targets (The Denver Post, April 18)
• Handgun Legislation Advances (The Denver Post, April 16)
• Webb: Give Voters Say on Guns (The Denver Post, April 14)

By sheer coincidence, the legislators in Washington state advanced two bills aimed at curbing violence on high school campuses. One bill would give school officials more access to students' criminal and disciplinary histories. The other would require mental evaluation of anyone age 12 through 21 who is arrested for carrying a gun on school grounds and would require the search of a student's locker if there is reason to suspect the student has a gun.
• Bills Aimed at Violence in Schools Get Approval (The Seattle Post-Intelligence, April 21)

President Clinton said he cancelled today's scheduled visit to Texas out of respect for the victims of the shooting in Colorado. Clinton was to help open the new Barbara Jordan passenger terminal at Austin's airport. Presidential candidate Gov. George W. Bush (R) will be on hand.
• Clinton Cancels Trip to Speak at Austin Airport (The Dallas Morning News, April 21)

Correction Tuesday's Early Returns misidentified former Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards.

University Challenges Ruling Against Affirmative Action
University of Texas officials asked a federal appeals court on Tuesday to overturn a 1996 decision that dismantled the affirmative action program at UT's law school.
• UT Asks Appeals Court to Overturn Hopwood (Austin American-Statesman, April 21)

English-Only Debate Comes to a Head in Iowa
The growing attention to a bill which would make English the official language in Iowa focuses today on state House members, who are scheduled to debate the measure.
• Debate on an 'Official Language' Is Today (Des Moines Register, April 21)

Republicans Out-Cut Ventura on Minnesota Taxes
Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura (Reform) promised to use the state's surplus to cut taxes, but now is criticizing a Republican plan to return $2.2 billion as "shortsighted." Ventura had proposed a $1.7-billion return.
• Ventura Says House Republicans Cut Taxes Too Deeply (The Star-Tribune, Minneapolis, April 21)

Ryan Thornburg can be reached at ryan.thornburg@washingtonpost.com