Teaching Safety First: Tennessee Leads with New Gun Safety Lessons in Schools
Tennessee Today

Tennessee is once again leading the way in protecting its most valuable resource: children. This fall, the Volunteer State has become the first in the nation to require annual gun safety training in public schools, ensuring students from kindergarten through high school know exactly what to do if they ever encounter a firearm.

 

The lessons are simple, direct, and effective: don’t touch, walk away, and tell an adult. Teachers also walk students through the basics of safe storage and the dangers of mishandling a weapon with no live firearms, no politics, just practical knowledge that can save lives.

 

For Rep. Chris Todd (R-Jackson), the bill’s sponsor, the logic was clear. “This is about basic, practical education,” Todd said. “Many children simply aren’t taught these lessons elsewhere. Now, every Tennessee student will leave school knowing what to do in a dangerous situation.”

 

The statistics tell the story. Tennessee ranks among the top states for unintentional child shootings, with tragedies often happening when kids come across unsecured firearms at home, in cars, or on playgrounds. In Memphis alone, thousands of guns are stolen from vehicles every year, making the risk of accidental discovery even higher. Supporters say these lessons are not just smart, but long overdue.

 

Educators, too, have welcomed the training as a natural extension of existing safety practices. Much like fire or tornado drills, the lessons are framed as preparation, not fear. Teachers emphasize that when students understand the right steps to take, it builds confidence rather than anxiety, equipping them to stay calm and safe if they ever encounter a firearm.

 

Other states are already watching Tennessee’s bold move, weighing similar steps of their own. Instead of waiting for another tragedy, Tennessee is taking action by arming students not with weapons, but with knowledge.

 

By focusing on safety, awareness, and personal responsibility, Tennessee schools are setting a standard for the rest of the country. Parents remain the first line of defense, and law enforcement has its role but this new training gives every student one more layer of protection.

 

In Tennessee, safety comes first. And that’s a lesson worth teaching.