Heads up, folks in Tennessee: Starting this school year, all public schools will teach gun safety. Every student, from kindergarten through 12th grade, will get these lessons.
Now, this isn’t about teaching kids how to shoot. It’s about being safe around guns and trying to keep accidents from happening.
Some folks think it’s a good idea, but others are worried. Either way, it’s now the law.
What’s Up?
Guns are pretty common in Tennessee. You see them in homes, cars, everywhere. Lots of families have hunting guns or handguns for protection. For many, guns are just a normal part of life.
Sadly, accidents happen way too often. Kids find guns in drawers, or teens think guns aren’t loaded. Things can go wrong quickly.
State lawmakers think it’s a mistake to pretend kids won’t ever see a gun. They think it’s better to teach them how to stay safe, even though it’s a tough topic.
The idea is that knowing what to do could save lives.
What Will Kids Learn?
These classes won’t turn kids into expert shooters.
The lessons are designed for each age group.
Younger kids will learn simple things:
Don’t touch guns.
Leave the area.
Tell an adult right away.
Older kids in middle and high school will learn more. They’ll learn how guns work, why it’s important to lock them up, and the legal problems that occur if guns are used the wrong way. Sometimes, police officers or special teachers might even come in to teach.
It’s a serious thing.
Parents Are Supportive
Many families support this new rule.
They’ve heard the stories about a kid finding a gun under a couch or a teen thinking a gun wasn’t loaded. These stories often don’t end well.
Parents who own guns often like this law. One dad said, “You teach kids to swim before they fall in the pool.” It’s the same with guns teach them to be safe first. For them, it’s all about keeping kids safe.
Concerns
Still, not everyone agrees.
Some parents don’t want schools involved. They think talking about guns should happen at home. They say teachers are already busy with reading, math, and science, and adding guns doesn’t seem right.
Others worry these lessons might make kids too interested in guns.
One mom said, “My daughter doesn’t need to know how a gun works. That”
