New Gun Safety Education in Schools: States Implement Curriculum for Students

Sat Nov 08 2025 15:23:58 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Arkansas, Tennessee, and Utah roll out laws requiring gun safety education in schools, aiming to equip students with critical knowledge on firearm safety. This move sparks a national dialogue about gun violence and children's safety at home.

As the debate over gun violence continues, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Utah have started requiring gun safety education for students from a young age. The curriculum focuses on the steps children should take if they encounter a firearm: stop, don't touch, leave quickly, and tell an adult. This initiative arises in response to the significant number of children growing up around firearms in the U.S. and aims to foster important conversations around gun safety within families.

As the 2023-2024 school year unfolds, states like Arkansas, Tennessee, and Utah are taking a proactive stance on gun safety education, implementing laws that mandate teaching young students about firearm safety. These laws are particularly aimed at children as young as five, indicating a pressing need to address firearm-related incidents among minors.

In Tennessee, the curriculum is designed to be engaging and informative, using various interactive methods such as games, quizzes, and videos to help kids learn the critical steps to take if they encounter a gun: stop, don't touch, leave quickly, and tell an adult. This instructional approach aims to empower students while ensuring they understand the serious nature of firearms without handling actual weapons.

At Berclair Elementary School in Memphis, where instructors have begun these lessons, many students reported having seen guns before. Tammie Chapman, a health and physical education teacher, emphasized the importance of these lessons in light of such experiences among students. The curriculum also emphasizes the impact of safely securing guns at home, encouraging children to communicate any concerns about firearm safety to their parents.

Despite varied political views on gun legislation, those advocating for the education bills highlight that these lessons can serve as a foundation for responsible gun ownership and safety practices. Supporters argue that education can help mitigate the risks associated with firearms in the home, particularly given that firearms were identified as the leading cause of death for children and teens in 2022, according to the CDC.

However, opposition exists, with critics arguing that while the lessons aim to educate, they do not address the need for secure gun storage and accountability among adults. Some call for laws that focus directly on preventing unauthorized access to firearms rather than placing the burden of safety on children.

Overall, the introduction of gun safety education in schools represents a significant shift in how states are addressing gun violence and the safety of young people, prompting necessary discussions within families and communities.