This bill proposes to amend the Arizona Revised Statutes by adding a new section, 15-714.02, which mandates that starting in the 2027-2028 school year, all school districts and charter schools must provide annual, age-appropriate firearm safety awareness instruction for students from kindergarten through grade twelve. The instruction will focus on accident prevention and personal safety, covering topics such as safe firearm storage, appropriate actions when encountering a firearm, and the risks associated with unsafe handling. Importantly, the instruction will not include live firearms, ammunition, or any training in the use of firearms, and it must remain objective without promoting or discouraging firearm ownership.

Additionally, the bill outlines that the Department of Education will collaborate with the Department of Public Safety and the Arizona Game and Fish Department to create instructional materials that are developmentally appropriate, fact-based, and focused on injury prevention. Schools will be required to make these materials available for parental review. The bill clarifies that it does not regulate firearm possession or ownership, does not allow for the collection of student information related to firearms, and does not conflict with existing firearm preemption laws.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-714.02