Memphis, September 23, 2025
News Summary
Memphis-Shelby County Schools will roll out a new firearm safety curriculum for K-12 students as mandated by Tennessee law. The initiative aims to educate students on safety guidelines concerning firearms. P.E. teachers will deliver the curriculum, emphasizing age-appropriate content. Given Tennessee’s high ranking in accidental shootings involving minors, this program is vital for student safety. Community forums are scheduled for parents to learn more and provide feedback on the curriculum, which cannot be opted out of as per state law.
Memphis
Starting Monday, Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) will implement a new firearm safety curriculum for students in grades K-12, mandated by Tennessee law. This law requires students to complete the firearm safety course each school year, making it a key addition to the educational program. The initiative reflects the growing concern regarding gun safety, particularly in light of recent statistics on gun-related incidents involving minors.
Physical Education (P.E.) teachers across MSCS, including those at Berclair Elementary, will be responsible for delivering this curriculum. The aim is to instruct students in a group setting, capitalizing on the established rapport that P.E. teachers typically have with their students, thereby creating an environment conducive to learning about such sensitive topics.
Dr. Amy Maples, the MSCS Director of Curriculum and Instruction, has highlighted the importance of presenting age-appropriate content that minimizes anxiety among students. As a result, the curriculum objectives vary by grade level, addressing critical topics such as safety guidelines both at home and school, effective decision-making, and proper actions to take if a firearm is encountered.
Curriculum Overview
For K-2 students, the focus will be on introducing key terms like “firearm,” “safety,” and “responsibility.” Students will learn three foundational safety rules: Stop and Donโt Touch, Leave the Area, and Tell an Adult. Engaging role-play scenarios will allow young students to practice responding to the discovery of a gun in various settings, such as at school or home.
Students in grades 3-5 will revisit the K-2 lessons but will be expected to express more mature attitudes towards firearms. This group will also complete an exit exercise to gauge their understanding. For those in grades 6-12, lessons will shift to include discussions on proper firearm and ammunition storage, alongside statistics related to gun-related injuries and deaths specifically in Tennessee.
State-Wide Gun Violence Context
Tennessee currently ranks third in the U.S. for accidental shootings involving children. Recently, Memphis logged at least 65 shootings involving minors in 2023, as reported by the Gun Violence Archive. Dr. Maples stresses the curriculum’s urgency, given the significant impact of gun violence on both families and communities throughout the state.
The district aims to develop a program free from political influences, concentrating solely on the empowerment and safety of students. Nonetheless, parents have expressed mixed opinions regarding the curriculum’s necessity, particularly for younger students. It should be noted that parents cannot opt out of this instruction due to the stipulations of the state law.
Educational Planning and Community Engagement
Berclair Elementary Principal Clinton Davis has endorsed the training’s necessity for safety, equating it to other mandatory educational programs. To further engage the school community, MSCS will host public forums on September 18 and 19, allowing parents to learn more and voice their feedback concerning the curriculum.
The instructional rounds will be roughly one week long, and crucially, no actual firearms will be introduced in schools during the lessons. Meanwhile, Tipton County Schools are preparing to implement a similar educational initiative, which may include the creation of targeted educational videos.
As MSCS champions student safety, these upcoming discussions provide an opportunity for parents to address any concerns and offer input on the curriculum.
FAQ
What new curriculum is being launched by Memphis-Shelby County Schools?
Starting Monday, Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) begins teaching a new firearm safety curriculum mandated by Tennessee law for grades K-12.
How often will students complete the firearm safety course?
The law requires students to complete the firearm safety course each school year.
Who will implement the new curriculum?
P.E. teachers in MSCS, including Berclair Elementary’s Tammy Chapman, will implement the new curriculum.
What age-appropriate content will be taught?
The curriculum objectives vary by grade level, generally covering safety guidelines at home and school, decision-making, and actions to take if encountering a firearm.
What is the focus for K-2 students?
For K-2 students, key terms include “firearm,” “safety,” and “responsibility,” along with the three safety rules: Stop and Donโt Touch, Leave the Area, and Tell an Adult.
What will the upcoming community forums address?
The district will hold community forums on September 18 and 19 to discuss the curriculum with parents.
Can parents opt out of the firearm safety instruction?
MSCS assures that parents cannot opt out of the instruction due to state law.
Key Features of the Firearm Safety Curriculum
| Grade Level | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| K-2 | Introduction to safety terms and rules: Stop and Donโt Touch, Leave the Area, Tell an Adult |
| 3-5 | Reinforcement of K-2 lessons with exit exercises and a focus on maturity |
| 6-12 | Proper storage of firearms, statistics on gun-related injuries and deaths in Tennessee |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Memphis Schools Implement New Gun Safety Curriculum
Tragic Shooting at Evergreen High School
Concerns Mount Over Safety in Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Tennessee Highway Patrol Enhances School Bus Safety Enforcement
Memphis Man Charged After Accidentally Shooting Cousin
University of Memphis Approves Tuition Increase for Students
Altercation at School Graduation Raises Safety Concerns
Man Arrested After Fight at Douglass High School Graduation
Memphis Shooting Leaves Man Critically Injured
Lockdown at Overton High School Following Shooting Incident
Additional Resources
- Action News 5: PE Teachers Instruct Required Gun Safety Courses
- Wikipedia: Gun Safety
- Local Memphis: MSCS Hosts Gun Safety Forum
- Google Search: Memphis gun safety curriculum
- Fox 13 Memphis: MSCS Rolls Out Firearm Safety Curriculum
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gun Safety
- WREG: MSCS Shares Firearm Safety Curriculum with Parents
- Google News: MSCS firearm safety curriculum
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
