Local school among first to participate in new state-mandated gun safety program

BRUCETON, Tenn. — A new state law is requiring gun safety education in every public school classroom in Tennessee, impacting students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Students and staff at Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central Middle and High School were among the first in the area to participate in the program. The material, provided by the state, is designed for every grade level and becomes more age-appropriate as students get older.

What the program covers

The curriculum focuses on what students should do the moment they discover a gun. Staff and administrators are required to present the material every year.

Chris Finley, principal of Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central Middle and High School, said the program extends beyond the classroom.

“Well, proud of our system and our staff and our teachers, and our students, for making sure that they’re safe not only while they’re here on campus, but while they’re at home also, just learning, you know, ‘Leave the guns alone,’ lock em up, put them away somewhere,” Finley said. “And it’s been good for our parents to see the letter we sent home, just about general gun safety.”

Finley said the program reflects the realities of the region.

“We’re rural Tennessee, you know, back when I was in high school, we used to have the rifles in the gun racks, we obviously don’t have that anymore here at school,” Finley said. “It’s more for the safety of the students, if they see a gun, and kind of what to do if they see one at home or if they see one here at school.”

Finley advised other school systems to notify parents before rolling out the program. His administration sent a letter home and posted information on Facebook ahead of the lessons.

Parents, teachers, and students can expect to see the program implemented before the end of the school year.

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