MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennessee lawmakers are discussing a new bill they hope will help cut down on the growing number of lives lost to gun violence — by teaching gun safety classes in schools.
“I think the earlier the better,” said Democratic Representative Antonio Parkinson.
The Memphian is one of the sponsors behind the bill, which could see gun safety being taught in classrooms as soon as the 2025-26 school year. Parkinson hopes this will bring gun safety to neighborhoods of color.
“I took my daughter with me to sit with me in a gun safety class," Parkinson said. "She was 11 at the time…I wanted her to feel the power of that weapon so she could know what could happen if it’s used irresponsibly.”
According to the latest version of the bill, students would be taught safe storage, school safety, how to avoid getting hurt by a gun and what to do if they find a gun.
Several details remain to be determined including who will teach these classes and what grades will take these classes.
Parkinson said further details will be up to the Tennessee Department of Education. The bill currently states that part of the consideration for who will take these classes will include reviewing relevant data, and the earliest age a child could be injured by a found firearm.
“Generally we start kids at 6 or 7, maybe 8 years old,” said Will Dougan, Top Gun Chief Instructor. “It’s from child to child. There’s no way to set a definitive hard line.”
Dougan has been teaching gun safety classes at the Memphis range for four years. While Dougan does support teaching children how to safely handle a firearm, he said this will likely only fix part of the issue facing cities like Memphis.
“Would it stop violent criminals from acting violently?" Dougan said. "Probably not.”
The instructor also thinks when the state does decide on the curriculum for the classes, they need to talk to professionals. The bill currently says no live firearms, ammunition or shooting would take place in these classes and instead be done through videos or online resources.
“There are lots of ways that you can do that safely with inert firearms or things that look like firearms or designed to be handled like firearms, but watching a video I don’t think will have much value,” Dougan said. ”I think it’s like learning how to swim by just talking about it.”