Tennessee, September 12, 2025
News Summary
Tennessee public and charter schools will start mandatory annual firearms safety instruction for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. This initiative, the first of its kind in the U.S., aims to promote firearm safety while providing flexibility in lesson delivery. An age-appropriate curriculum has been developed by the Tennessee Department of Education, emphasizing safety without political bias. Schools are encouraged to involve community partners in the instruction, although parents won’t receive formal notifications about the training schedule.
Nashville, Tennessee — Starting this school year, all public and charter school students in Tennessee from kindergarten through 12th grade will receive mandatory annual firearms safety instruction. This new requirement is part of a state law that positions Tennessee as the first state in the nation to implement such a training program for students.
The Tennessee Department of Education released an age-appropriate curriculum designed to promote safety while allowing school districts flexibility in how the lessons are presented. Each school district has until the end of the school year to complete the required instructions.
In schools such as Rutherford County Schools and Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), plans are in place to provide parents with details about the training before it begins. While live ammunition, live fire, or real firearms will not be used during the instruction, non-functioning model weapons are permitted under state law.
The curriculum emphasizes a “viewpoint neutral” approach, avoiding political discussions surrounding gun rights, gun violence, or the Second Amendment. Instead, the training will focus on key definitions and concepts such as “firearm,” “safety,” and “responsible.” For younger students in grades K-5, lessons will cover how to differentiate between toy guns, air guns, BB guns, and real firearms. Meanwhile, students in grades 6-12 will learn about the importance of safe storage practices for weapons and ammunition in homes.
Overall, the curriculum includes four central firearm safety rules. Supporters of the legislation express that this new training initiative parallels existing safety protocols, similar to intruder drills or fire safety practices like “stop, drop, and roll.” The law, by design, aims to equip children with essential knowledge regarding gun safety to enhance their ability to protect themselves in various situations.
Moreover, the state encourages local schools to engage community partners—such as police officers or health department personnel—to assist with the instruction. Memphis-Shelby County Schools, the largest school district in Tennessee, has also made plans to comply with the law and ensure that the instruction is age-appropriate. To further improve community understanding, family forums will be organized to discuss the new training requirement in Memphis.
However, parents will not be formally notified about the training schedule or content since a measure to require notification was rejected. The Department of Education has encouraged schools to maintain open communication with parents regarding the firearms safety training.
Recent crime statistics indicate an uptick in weapon violations, even amid a broader decline in crime within Memphis. April 2025 was highlighted as the deadliest month for children in Memphis, with 14 incidents of gunfire reported among minors. As such, the urgency for educational measures focusing on firearms safety is underscored by this alarming trend. Many school districts are still in the process of finalizing how they will implement the mandated training in their respective schools.
FAQ
What is the new law in Tennessee regarding firearms safety in schools?
The new law mandates that all public and charter school students in Tennessee from kindergarten through 12th grade receive annual firearms safety instruction.
When does this training need to be completed?
School districts have until the end of the current school year to complete the required firearms safety lessons.
What does the curriculum include?
The curriculum is age-appropriate and includes key definitions, safety rules, and lessons on distinguishing between different types of firearms for younger children, as well as the safe storage of guns and ammunition for older students.
Will live firearms be used during the instruction?
No, live firearms, live ammunition, or live fire will not be used. Non-functioning model weapons may be used instead.
How will parents be informed about the training?
Parents will not be required to receive formal notifications regarding the training schedule or content, as this requirement was voted down.
Key Features of the New Tennessee Law
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Audience | All public and charter school students from K-12 |
| Curriculum Release | Released by the Tennessee Department of Education |
| Training Type | Age-appropriate firearms safety instruction |
| Implementation Deadline | End of the current school year |
| Use of Firearms | No live fire, non-functioning model weapons allowed |
| Political Neutrality | Training is viewpoint neutral |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Fox17 News
- Tennessean
- Washington Post
- WSMV
- Tennessean
- Wikipedia: Gun Safety
- Google Search: Firearm Safety Education
- Google Scholar: Firearm Safety Training
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Firearm Education
- Google News: Tennessee Firearm Safety
Author: HERE Nashville
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