NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As schools across the United States grapple with the pervasive issue of gun violence, a new approach is taking shape in classrooms: mandatory lessons teaching children as young as 5 what to do if they encounter a firearm. States like Arkansas, Tennessee, and Utah have pioneered laws requiring public schools to incorporate gun safety education into their curricula, emphasizing simple steps like 'stop, don't touch, leave quickly, and tell an adult.'
This initiative comes amid a backdrop of alarming statistics on firearm-related deaths among youth. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, firearms were the leading cause of death for children and teens in 2022. In states like Arkansas and Tennessee, rates of such deaths exceed the national average, as revealed by an Associated Press analysis.
The laws, enacted this school year, mark a significant shift, placing schools at the center of a heated debate on gun safety. In Tennessee, for instance, the curriculum was developed collaboratively by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the state Department of Education. Emily Buck, director of public relations for the agency, explained the rationale: “While there is some controversy around guns, there doesn’t always have to be. I think that having some education and foundational knowledge really can be beneficial in the long run.”
At Berclair Elementary School in Memphis, the need for such education became evident during a recent lesson. When health and physical education instructor Tammie Chapman asked a class of 16 fifth graders how many had seen a real gun, nearly all raised their hands. “It just shows you how much a class like this is needed,” Chapman said.
The lessons draw from established safety guidelines, often adapted from hunting safety courses but stripped of any hands-on elements. In Tennessee, the law explicitly prohibits the use of actual firearms in instruction. Instead, materials include engaging tools like stickers, games, quizzes, and videos featuring colorful illustrations—such as a gun depicted with Lego-style bricks or explanations of historical firearms like muzzleloaders.
A key component is a relay-race game implemented at Berclair, where students run to buckets containing photos and identify images of guns, then report them to adults. This is paired with a catchy jingle reinforcing the core message: stop, don't touch, leave the area, and inform a trusted adult. These steps align with recommendations from organizations like the National Rifle Association, which offers animated videos and coloring pages on the topic.
Principal Clint Davis of Berclair Elementary highlighted the longstanding nature of the issue. “It’s not something that’s necessarily just become a modern issue. It’s always been there,” Davis said. “And I think we’re just now really responding to the need to provide that sort of training in school.”
While Tennessee's approach keeps things strictly educational and firearm-free, variations exist in other states. In Arkansas, parents can opt for alternative curricula, including off-campus courses that might involve live guns. Spencer Griffith, a deputy director with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, suggested integrating the lessons into routine safety drills, like those for fires or tornadoes. “We hope they will interject this in a way that kind of helps to maybe prevent some of these accidents from occurring, but not in a way that puts a political focus or fear around that, because it’s just not the place for that,” Griffith said.
Utah's law stands out by allowing parents or guardians to opt their children out of the lessons entirely. This provision addresses potential concerns from families who might view the topic as sensitive or unnecessary. Meanwhile, similar proposals have surfaced in at least five other states, though not all have succeeded. In Arizona, a comparable bill was vetoed by the Democratic governor, underscoring the partisan divides that often characterize gun-related legislation.
Republicans have largely sponsored and supported these bills in the enacting states, with the legislation mandating neutral viewpoints on topics like gun ownership. Buck from Tennessee's wildlife agency acknowledged the role of adults in preventing mishaps, noting that children might find guns in unexpected places like shelves or under mattresses. “We hope that maybe students will take some of what they learned back to their house, back to the parents and maybe they’ll encourage their parents to adjust their storage method,” she said.
Support for the measures extends beyond political lines. Voices for a Safer Tennessee, a nonpartisan nonprofit formed by parents after the tragic Covenant School shooting in Nashville in 2023, endorsed the legislation. The group advocates for gun ownership alongside policies like expanded background checks. Jessica Jaglois, the organization's director of communications, emphasized the potential for family discussions: “It could possibly prevent a firearm tragedy from occurring, because we know that a moment of access can lead to a lifetime of tragedy.”
However, not everyone agrees this is the right path. Gun control advocates argue that burdening children with safety responsibilities misses the mark. Meg Beauregard, policy counsel fellow at Everytown for Gun Safety, stated: “Using the school day to teach kids about guns won’t stop adults from leaving their firearms unsecured or keeping deadly weapons out of dangerous hands. If lawmakers were serious about protecting students, they’d pass laws that hold adults accountable, such as secure storage — not put the burden on kids to keep themselves safe.”
The broader context of gun violence in America adds weight to these debates. With many children growing up in households with firearms, the reality is stark. Schools have flexibility in implementation; districts can choose provided lesson plans or create their own, and instructors might include teachers, staff, or even police officers. In Tennessee, the curriculum aims to equip students without delving into the mechanics of handling or firing guns, differing sharply from traditional hunter education that includes practical training.
As these programs roll out, their impact remains to be seen. Proponents like Buck and Jaglois hope they foster safer habits and spark conversations at home. Critics, including those from Everytown, call for more stringent measures targeting adult behavior. In states with high rates of youth firearm deaths, such as Arkansas and Tennessee, these lessons could play a role in reducing accidental shootings, which contribute to the CDC's grim statistics.
Looking ahead, the spread of similar laws to other states could intensify national discussions on gun safety education. With proposals pending in multiple legislatures, the coming years may see more schools adopting these curricula, potentially influencing how future generations approach firearms. For now, in places like Berclair Elementary, the focus is on simple, lifesaving steps that empower children in a world where guns are all too common.