Utah legislators are considering a new bill that would require mandatory firearm safety education for public school students.
House Bill 104 (HB 104), sponsored by Rep. Rex Shipp, recently passed the House Education Committee and is now advancing toward a full House vote. The proposed law aims to equip students with basic gun safety knowledge, recognizing that firearms are present in many Utah households.
How the Gun Safety Lessons Would Work
During a recent committee hearing, Shipp showcased a video illustrating what the lessons might look like. The video highlighted the importance of recognizing dangerous situations and responding appropriately.
“Did you know that over 42% of Utah households have firearms?” the video narrator stated. “That’s why learning gun safety is important for everyone.”
The video then walked through various real-life scenarios involving children and unsecured firearms. In one example, two kids playing basketball discover a gun in a garage. Rather than handling the weapon, they leave the area and notify an adult.
“Our hero in this situation helped prevent a possible accident by making the right decision,” the video explains. “They left the scene, encouraged others to do the same, and informed a responsible adult.”
What Would the Training Include?
Rep. Shipp explained that the annual safety sessions would last 15 to 20 minutes and could involve educational videos or law enforcement presentations. The lessons would be age-appropriate:
- Younger children would be taught to avoid firearms and inform an adult if they find one.
- Older students would learn about safe storage practices and responsible firearm handling.
Parents would retain the right to opt their children out of the program.
“Kids who haven’t grown up around firearms—whether for hunting or target shooting—should still understand how to stay safe around them,” Shipp noted.
How Often Would Students Receive Training?
Under HB 104, students would receive gun safety education:
- Annually from kindergarten through sixth grade
- Once in middle school
- Once in high school
Rep. Nicholeen Peck voiced strong support for regular safety training, referencing the “Rule of Seven” in education.
“Research shows that people need to encounter information about seven times before fully processing it,” she explained. “Spacing out these lessons each year will reinforce safety concepts and make them more effective.”
Current Law vs. HB 104
Utah already permits firearm safety education in schools, but it is currently optional. If passed, HB 104 would make gun safety training mandatory across the state.
The bill now moves to the full House for a vote. If approved, it could significantly impact how students in Utah learn about firearm safety and accident prevention.
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