Tennessee has become the first state in the United States to require mandatory gun safety training in public and charter schools. This initiative will commence during the 2025-26 school year, following a law passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in 2024 and signed by Governor Bill Lee. The legislation prohibits the use of live firearms and ammunition in the classroom and restricts discussions related to gun rights or the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Implementation Across School Districts
Gun safety training will be integrated into the curriculum for students in grades K-12. Matt Hixson, Director of Schools in Hawkins County, emphasized that the focus will be on safety rather than handling firearms. He explained that younger students will learn to stop, avoid touching a firearm, leave the area, and report it to an adult. In contrast, older students will receive instruction on safe storage practices and how to check if a firearm is loaded.
Hixson stated, “We’re shooting for a target date at about November. It is truly aimed at gun safety.” School Resource Officers (SROs) will be responsible for teaching this curriculum in Hawkins County.
In Rogersville City School, which serves preK-8, Edwin Jarnagin, Director of Schools, noted that while the program is set to begin this year, it is still in development. “We have not started that yet. We are going to wait until there is more guidance from the state,” Jarnagin said, expressing confidence that age-appropriate instruction will be delivered.
Andy True, Assistant Superintendent of Kingsport City Schools, reported that their firearms safety program is in the planning stage. He mentioned that the Kingsport Police Department is collaborating with the school’s safety and curriculum teams to develop the program.
Age-Appropriate Instruction and Safety Focus
In Sullivan County, Director of Schools Chuck Carter indicated that the gun safety training aims to bolster student safety. He acknowledged the importance of teaching firearm safety as an additional layer of support, complementing what students might learn at home. The program will include animated videos from the NRA’s “Eddie Eagle” series for younger students, teaching them key safety principles such as “stop, don’t touch, run away, and tell a grown-up” if they encounter a weapon.
Bristol Tennessee City Schools has developed its firearms safety instruction plan in accordance with state law, as relayed by public relations coordinator Ann Oakley. This plan involves collaboration with local law enforcement and school counselors to ensure that instruction is age-appropriate. The program will be highlighted during a designated Safety Week later this year.
Addressing Gun Safety Concerns
The decision to implement gun safety training arises amid rising concerns over unintentional gun deaths among children. According to research published by Everytown for Gun Safety, Tennessee experienced 158 unintentional shootings by children from 2015 to 2023. Additionally, a 2024 report from the Tennessee Department of Health revealed that firearms were the leading non-medical cause of death for children in the state, with a rate of 4.8 deaths per 100,000.
As the state prepares for the introduction of this mandatory training, officials aim to address the critical issue of gun safety among the youth. This initiative reflects a proactive approach to enhance safety and awareness within the community. The structured implementation of the program across various school districts signals a significant shift in educational priorities in Tennessee.
