Arkansas Public School Students Will Soon Be Required to Take Gun Safety Courses

Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, public school students in Arkansas will be required to take age-appropriate firearm safety courses. The Arkansas Senate recently passed Act 229, also known as House Bill 1117, which mandates the state Department of Education to collaborate with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to develop these programs.

According to the bill, public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools must annually provide firearm safety instruction for students. The initiative stems from concerns voiced by legislators like Rep. Scott Richardson, who highlighted the risks of children encountering unsecured firearms in neighbors' homes. "All of our children play together and invade whatever home happens to be the play of the day. And in that process, they may go into a neighbor's home and discover that unsecured firearm, and how would they react?" Richardson explained.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, alongside the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, will oversee the creation of these safety courses, ensuring they are suitable for varying age groups. Proposed teaching methods include videos, online resources, and potentially off-campus courses that may feature live-fire exercises or sporting events. However, participation in any live-fire training will require prior written consent from parents or guardians, as outlined in the legislation.

The bill also assigns the committee the task of determining the earliest grade level at which students can begin receiving firearm safety education. This detail underscores the state’s focus on ensuring the curriculum aligns with developmental appropriateness.

While the specifics of the program are still being ironed out, the legislation represents a proactive step toward addressing concerns about firearm safety in communities. Whether it's through interactive videos or supervised live-fire training, this program aims to equip students with the knowledge to handle such situations responsibly.