Rep. Chris Todd introduces bill requiring schools to teach firearm safety
JACKSON, Tenn. — One local legislator is taking action to require schools to teach firearm safety.
State Representative Chris Todd has introduced legislation (House Bill 2882) to include firearm safety education in Tennessee public schools.
“I firmly believe a bill like this and the training the children will get from this point forward is going to save lives,” Todd said.
If passed, this bill would provide curriculum on firearm safety as part of the existing SAVE Act that is currently offered in public schools.
The SAVE Act — or Schools Against Violence in Education — has specific requirements for public schools to provide a safe school environment that includes a safety team to provide a plan to each district.
“This just adds gun safety training as part of that,” said Todd. “So, I think it’s going to be important for them to know this is no different than learning about what to do in a fire, in a tornado, and in other situations. Then they know when I see a handgun or a firearm of any kind, this is how I should treat it.”
As the bill progresses, questions arise on both sides.
“You have to look at when, how and where,” said Phillip Pratt, Director of Crockett County Schools. “How is it going to be funded? And what is it going to take the place of? Right now we have a full day with all of the mandates that we have.”
Educational leaders express that although this type of training is appropriate for young individuals, they are weary of additional programs that could take time away from teaching core subjects.
“The schools are now doing a whole host of things for the kids that doesn’t deal with the education of English, Math, Reading and History,” Pratt added.
The bill would consist of efforts from the Department of Safety, Department of Education and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to determine age-appropriate and grade-appropriate instruction.
The bill made it through sub-committee Wednesday and is scheduled to be heard by the Education Instruction Committee on Tuesday.
For more local news, click here.
