LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Public schools across Arkansas will soon be required to teach students about gun safety every year, following the passage of a new state law. The requirement applies to all public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools beginning with the upcoming school year.
The new law directs the Arkansas Department of Education to develop or approve an age-appropriate curriculum for grades K-12. The goal of the instruction is to teach students what to do if they encounter an unsecured firearm: stop, do not touch the weapon, leave the area immediately, and notify an adult.
The curriculum may include videos, digital lessons, classroom instruction or demonstrations conducted off-campus. However, the law specifies that students will not handle firearms as part of the instruction.
School districts will have flexibility in how they incorporate the lessons, so long as every student receives the safety instruction annually.
Supporters of the law say firearm safety education is essential as accidental shootings involving children continue to occur nationwide. They argue the program gives students potentially life-saving knowledge whether at home, school, or in the community.
Some critics have expressed concern that the responsibility of gun safety should fall on adults who own firearms, rather than children who might encounter them. Supporters say the intention is not to shift responsibility but to add another layer of prevention.
The Arkansas Department of Education will distribute resources and guidance to districts as planning for implementation begins. Schools are expected to integrate the new instruction into existing safety, health, or physical education programs.
The curriculum will be in place statewide starting next school year.
