Washington, June 8 (RHC)-- Testifying before the U.S. Senate appropriations subcommittee in Washington this week, U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said the Federal Commission on School Safety, which she chairs, will not look at the role of guns in a recent spate of school shootings.

In an exchange with Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), DeVos said it is “not part of the commission’s charge per se” to look at the role of firearms as it relates to gun violence.  Instead, DeVos said the commission will study “school safety and how we can ensure our students are safe at school.”

Leahy asked DeVos if she thinks an 18-year-old should be able to buy AR-15-style guns and ammunition.  She responded: “I believe that’s very much a matter for debate, and I know that’s been debated within this body and will continue to be.”

The White House charged DeVos with leading a federal commission on school safety after a shooting in Parkland, Florida, in February left 17 dead. In a March press release, the White House said the commission will study and make recommendations on issues including “age restrictions for certain firearm purchases.”

Senator Leahy ended the exchange by sarcastically noting that the commission “looking at gun violence in schools but not looking at guns, is quite an interesting concept.”