From KGUN 9: Arizona lawmakers are close to passing legislation to require public schools to provide K-12 students with firearms safety and awareness training.
If enacted, Senate Bill 1424 would mandate annual, age-appropriate instruction starting in the 2027-28 school year. The bill does not include any funding for the training.
State Sen. Wendy Rogers, the bill sponsor, said the legislation is needed because gun injuries are the leading cause of death for children.
The training won’t involve handling firearms as it is focused on safety, Rogers said. The kids will be taught to inform a trusted adult when encountering a weapon.
“This really isn’t firearms training,” she said. “This is ‘firearms, leave it alone.’”
“It’s about prevention,” Rogers said. “This is about the education of our little ones.”
“Students are taught what to do if they encounter a firearm,” she explained. “They are told not to touch it.”
The law would direct the Arizona Department of Education to develop the instructional materials in coordination with the Department of Public Safety and the Game and Fish Department.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne supports the proposal.
“I am in favor of training in firearms safety and awareness for students,” he said. “It promotes school safety and if signed into law, we will work to implement it effectively.”
The demonstrations and instruction would not include how to handle, load, unload, or fire a firearm.
Women For Gun Rights voiced support for the legislation.
“Teaching young people how to recognize and respond safely around firearms is simply common sense,” said Cheryl Todd, the group’s Arizona director.
The group is also advocating for House Bill 2076. It establishes a program to authorize school employees to carry concealed firearms.
Arizona Senate Bill 1424 aims to bring firearm safety lessons to the classroom. Families impacted by gun violence and Second Amendment advocates are split on the proposal. https://t.co/JyZRd8aW6Q
— FOX 10 Phoenix (@FOX10Phoenix) March 20, 2026
Read more at KGUN 9
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