New Gun Safety Education Introduced in Schools to Protect Children

Fri Dec 05 2025 06:48:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Elementary, middle, and high school students in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Utah will start learning about gun safety this year as part of a new initiative aimed at reducing firearm-related accidents among children.

This academic season marks a significant change for students in select states, as Arkansas, Tennessee, and Utah require schools to teach children basic gun safety protocols. These programs are designed for children as young as five years old, addressing the reality of firearms present in many homes. The curriculum encourages students to refrain from touching firearms and demonstrates what to do if they encounter one, highlighting safety with engaging activities. However, the initiative has sparked debates about gun control and the responsibilities of adults in ensuring safe firearm storage.

This school year, students in elementary, middle, and high schools across Arkansas, Tennessee, and Utah will receive essential lessons on what to do if they encounter a firearm. The implementation of new legislation mandates that schools teach children as young as five the basics of gun safety and appropriate firearm storage practices at home.

With the reality that many U.S. children grow up around firearms, the newly introduced curriculum aims to equip them with foundational knowledge to navigate such encounters safely. At Berclair Elementary School in Memphis, nearly all fifth graders reported having seen a real gun, underscoring the necessity of these lessons according to health and physical education instructor Tammie Chapman.

The curriculum includes creative engagement strategies such as stickers, games, quizzes, and videos, all reinforcing the message to stop, not touch, quickly leave the area, and inform an adult. While Tennessee prohibits the use of actual firearms during these lessons, Arkansas offers alternatives, such as off-campus courses allowing for practical instruction.

Experts recognize that many children may unintentionally find guns exposed in homes, and educating them could lead to significant preventive measures. As stated by Emily Buck from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, teaching children about safe practices can empower them to encourage safer storage habits among adults at home.

Despite bipartisan sponsorship of these laws, they provoke contention within the broader debate on gun control. Critics argue that merely educating children will not solve issues surrounding unsecured firearms, advocating instead for legislative measures that hold adults accountable for safe storage.

While schools have flexibility in how they design the lessons, ensuring a neutral presentation of gun issues is critical to avoid political oversimplifications. Ultimately, advocates hope these discussions may bridge crucial communication gaps between parents and children, potentially reducing firearm-related accidents and tragedies.