Memphis Students to Receive Gun Safety Education This Month

A Sheriff’s deputy talking with young students (Photo by the Tennessee Department of Education)

Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) plans to provide students with gun safety education this month, as part of a newly enacted state law. Lawmakers passed the legislation last year, requiring every public school district in the state to develop an age-appropriate curriculum for all grade levels, including kindergarteners.

According to a news release sent to the Tennessee Firefly, MSCS is planning community forums on September 18 and 19 to give families, educators, and community members a chance to discuss the new curriculum and work together on solutions to reduce gun violence. Families will receive additional resources through the district’s family newsletter to help continue these conversations at home.

“This is not just a curriculum; it’s a necessary conversation for our community. We are committed to creating safe learning environments and helping students understand the importance of making safe decisions,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Roderick Richmond emphasized the importance of this work, noting his ongoing engagement with families directly impacted by gun violence. 

Tennessee Firearm Safety Curriculum Requirements

School districts have the option of providing firearm safety instruction under the new law in a variety of forms, including classroom instruction, viewing videos, online resources, or community-supported instruction by school resource officers (SROs) or law enforcement.

The required curriculum will vary based on the grade, but it’s required to teach students:

1.        Safe firearm storage.

2.        School safety relating to firearms.

3.        How to avoid injury if the student finds a firearm.

4.        To never touch a found firearm.

5.        To immediately notify an adult of the location of a found firearm.

Under the new state law, schools are prohibited from using live ammunition in instruction, and they must be “viewpoint neutral” on political topics like gun rights, gun violence, and the Second Amendment.

The Washington Post reported that Tennessee is the first state in the nation to pass a law requiring this type of training.