‘Teach them young!’ Internet lauds Tennessee lawmakers as they pass bill requiring gun safety lessons in schools

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: In a new development that is being lauded by social media, Public schools in Tennessee State could soon begin teaching students firearms safety as per The Tennessee. 

On Friday, April 5 Tennessee lawmakers put the finishing touches on House Bill 2882 following a party-line 24-3 vote in the state Senate.

What will the courses teach? 

The bill’s sponsor, Rep Chris Todd who is a Republican, said in a February hearing, "We see this proposed legislation as a critical step in averting firearm-related accidents while fostering greater awareness and responsibility among gun owners," If signed by Governor Bill Lee, the courses will begin in the 2025-2026 school year.

The main teaching methods for the gun safety seminars would be movies and internet materials. They would include topics including school safety, how to store firearms safely, and how to tell an adult right once a child finds a gun to prevent injuries.

The bill stipulates the lessons will "not include the use or presence of live ammunition, live fire, or live firearms."

Republican Senator Paul Bailey said during the session, "This curriculum would be developed to instruct children on how to properly stay away from a firearm if they happen to see a firearm, and what to do as far as reporting if they find a firearm," Fox News reports. 

The bill requires that lessons be "viewpoint neutral on political topics, such as gun rights, gun violence, and the Second Amendment."

Senate Republicans voted against an amendment that would have allowed parents to opt children out of the training. On the other hand, opponents say it does not adequately address the root cause of school shootings

"Children are already bearing an incredible brunt of the escalation that we’ve seen in gun violence that is widely reported in our own state government’s data. Data demonstrates that children are increasingly likely to become victims of firearms in homicides, suicides, gun violence, accidental deaths," Sen. Jeff Yarbro, a Democrat, said on Thursday, April 4.

He added, "But rather than deal with the fact that there are firearms that are negligently and recklessly left somewhere by adults, we’re trying to teach children how to deal with that negligence."

This comes about a year after a gunman opened fire indiscriminately at Covenant School, a Christian institution in Nashville, last March, killing three children and three adults before being shot dead by police.

Internet supports new bill to introduce gun safety lessons in schools

Several social media users actively reacted to the bill proposal. On Facebook, a user wrote, "This is making a lot of sense." 

The next user said, "My Dad taught me gun safety when I was 7 years old. I have been shooting guns since I was 7 years old. Firearms class is great for schools!" A user wrote, "Gun safety is a great idea." 

A user wrote, "Best news I've heard in a while." Another user said, "Can we get this done at all schools?" 

A user said, "It's the most noble thing to do, taking care of the children and teaching them how to protect themselves responsibly." 

A user said, "Absolutely. Teach safety and respect of them young no different than teaching DARE." The next user said, "Should be mandatory in all schools." A user said, "Why don't all schools in every single state do that?" 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online