Schools Across the U.S. Introduce Gun Safety Lessons for Students

Sat Nov 08 2025 11:12:11 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

New laws in states like Arkansas, Tennessee, and Utah mandate firearm safety education in public schools, aiming to equip students with knowledge on handling firearms responsibly.

In an effort to address gun safety, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Utah are implementing mandatory education for elementary through high school students on firearm safety. This move comes in light of rising incidents involving guns among children. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of not touching guns upon discovery and reporting the incident to an adult. Advocates believe these lessons could be crucial in reducing firearm-related tragedies among children.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — This school year, students in elementary, middle, and high schools in states like Arkansas, Tennessee, and Utah will learn vital lessons on what to do if they discover a firearm.

The new legislation requires public schools to educate children, some as young as 5, on gun safety and proper storage of firearms at home. Utah’s law is unique in that it allows students to opt out if their parents request it.

While a similar proposed law in Arizona was vetoed by its Democratic governor, at least five other states are considering similar legislation, igniting discussions surrounding gun violence in schools.

In Tennessee, educational materials are designed to be engaging, incorporating stickers, games, and videos that include colorful illustrations of firearms. At Berclair Elementary School in Memphis, nearly all fifth graders reported having seen a real gun, highlighting the need for such lessons. Health and physical education instructor Tammie Chapman emphasized the importance of the program.

These updates to school curriculums emerge as firearms increasingly are a reality in the lives of many children across the U.S. For instance, the lesson plans aim to instill a clear protocol in case a child encounters a firearm: Stop, don’t touch, leave quickly, and tell an adult.

Legislators in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Utah support these education initiatives, maintaining that children must be educated on how to respond appropriately rather than handle firearms. Critics argue that simply educating children about what to do is not enough; they stress the need for laws holding adults accountable for securing their firearms to ensure children's safety.

As strides are taken in schools to prevent firearm tragedies, many hope that teaching these lessons might influence family conversations around gun safety in the home.

Educational strategies vary nationally, with states affording school districts discretion on how to implement safety training, integrating it with routine safety drills like fire or tornado preparedness.

As gun-related accidents continue to pose a significant danger, these new educational efforts may provide much-needed strategies to navigate this sensitive issue.