NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A new law will require all public and charter school students in Tennessee to learn firearm safety.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-1016 passed during the 2024 session, making Tennessee the first state to enact such a law.

The law requires instructors to teach:

• Safe storage of firearms;
• School safety relating to firearms;
• How to avoid injury if the student finds a firearm;
• To never touch a found firearm; and
• To immediately notify an adult of the location of a found firearm;

The Tennessee Department of Education, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency issued guidance for firearm instruction in school districts.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, schools are required to provide age-appropriate instruction on firearm safety. Instruction must begin with the earliest appropriate grade, as determined by the district's departments, and continue through 12th grade.

Live ammunition is never allowed nor is the discussion of gun rights, gun violence or the Second Amendment of the Constitution.

Click here to read the instructional guidance.

Kindergartners through second grade will focus on identifying a real gun vs. a fake one, knowing the parts of a gun and the firearms safety rules for children, which includes Stop, Don't Touch, Leave the Area and Tell an Adult.

Third through fifth grade will learn firearm identification and proper storage in order to "demonstrate a mature attitude regarding firearms."

Grades sixth through 12th will expand to more detailed identification on types of firearms along with safe gun handling and storage.

The guidance includes tips for communicating weapons training for families and encourages questions from parents.

The law makes firearm safety training a requirement and students will no be able to opt out of instruction.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-schools-gun-safety-training/