Tennessee is the first state to require mandatory gun safety courses in public schools. In 2024, the state passed Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-1016, which mandates age-appropriate firearm safety instruction for all public and charter school students from kindergarten through 12th grade, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. This covers basics like identifying gun parts (e.g., trigger, barrel, muzzle), distinguishing real firearms from toys, safe storage, and protocols for encountering a gun (e.g., “Stop, Don’t Touch, Leave the Area, Tell an Adult”). The program is annual, politically neutral, and delivered via videos, discussions, or community partners like law enforcement, without live firearms or ammunition. No opt-out is allowed for parents.
This makes Tennessee the pioneer, as no prior state law required such statewide, mandatory education for all K-12 students. Earlier efforts, like Arizona’s 2016 law mandating one-time instruction between 6th and 12th grade, were more limited. While states like Connecticut and New Jersey encourage optional programs and some (e.g., California, Connecticut) require safety training for gun purchases or concealed carry, none imposed school-based mandates before Tennessee. Recent proposals in states like Utah, Arkansas, and Kansas follow Tennessee’s lead but haven’t been implemented yet.