NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A new law will require all public and charter school students in Tennessee to learn firearm safety.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-1016 passed during the 2024 session, making Tennessee the first state to enact such a law.

The law requires instructors to teach:

• Safe storage of firearms;
• School safety relating to firearms;
• How to avoid injury if the student finds a firearm;
• To never touch a found firearm; and
• To immediately notify an adult of the location of a found firearm;

The Tennessee Department of Education, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency have issued guidelines for firearm education in school districts.

Starting with the 2025-2026 academic year, schools must provide age-appropriate firearm safety instruction. This instruction will commence at the earliest suitable grade level, as determined by district departments, and will continue through the 12th grade.

Live ammunition is never allowed, nor is the discussion of gun rights, gun violence or the Second Amendment of the Constitution.

Click here to read the instructional guidance.

Students from kindergarten to second grade will learn to differentiate between a real gun and a fake one, understand the parts of a gun, and follow children’s firearm safety rules, which include Stop, Don’t Touch, Leave the Area, and Tell an Adult.

Third through fifth grade will learn firearm identification and proper storage in order to “demonstrate a mature attitude regarding firearms.”

Grades sixth through 12th will expand to more detailed identification on types of firearms, along with safe gun handling and storage.

The guidance includes tips for communicating about weapons training for families and encourages questions from parents.

The law makes firearm safety training a requirement, and students will not be able to opt out of instruction.