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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
firearms safety; training; schools
Purpose
Requires, beginning July 1, 2024, school districts and charter schools to provide students in grades 6 through 12 with age-appropriate firearms safety training based on a firearms accident prevention program that meets prescribed criteria. Outlines requirements and prohibitions for the firearms safety training, instructors and excusing students from the training.
Background
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) may provide voluntary training in the safe handling and use of bows or firearms and safe hunting practices when a common school or high school requests the training. The AZGFD prescribes the course of study, approves instruction materials, certifies instructors for the training programs conducted by private organizations or public agencies and issues certificates of completion (A.R.S. §§ 15-713 and 15-714).
A school district or charter school may offer a one-credit elective course in firearms marksmanship, designated as the Arizona Gun Safety Program Course (Course). The Course must be developed by the AZGFD, the Department of Public Safety and private firearms organizations and must include: 1) instruction on firearms safety rules, basic operation and history; 2) instruction on the role of firearms in preserving peace and freedom and the constitutional roots of the right to keep and bear arms; 3) instruction on the use of clay targets; and 4) practice time at a shooting range. A pupil must demonstrate competence with a firearm by safely discharging a firearm at one or more targets. A person currently certified as a firearms safety instructor by the AZGFD, the National Rifle Association, a law enforcement agency, the U.S. military, a federal agency, the Reserve Officer Training Corps, the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps or the Civilian Marksmanship Program is qualified to teach the Course (A.R.S. § 15-714.01).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires, beginning July 1, 2024, school districts and charter schools to provide students in grades 6 through 12 with at least one firearms safety training session in an age-appropriate manner.
2. Requires any training sessions to be based on a firearms accident prevention program that:
a) has been in operation for over 30 years;
b) seeks to help parents, law enforcement, community groups and educators navigate firearms safety;
c) was developed by law enforcement officials and firearms safety experts from a national rifle association; and
d) teaches simple, easy-to-remember steps so individuals who receive the training know what to do if they ever come across a firearm.
3. Prohibits the firearms safety training from including:
a) instruction on firearms operation or qualification; and
b) hunting education.
4. Prohibits a school district or charter school from using working or live firearms for the firearms safety training.
5. Requires a school district or charter school to:
a) notify the parents of a student who will receive firearms safety training at least two weeks before the training is provided; and
b) allow parents to opt the student out of the training.
6. Excuses, from the firearms training, a student:
a) whose parent requests that the student be excused; or
b) who is a child with a disability and the student's individualized education program team makes a determination to excuse the student.
7. Requires the firearms safety training to be provided by:
a) a current instructor certified by a recognized national or state association;
b) an active or retired law enforcement officer; or
c) a teacher or faculty members who is certified by a recognized national or state association.
8. Allows a school district or charter school to accept from any person in-kind donations of materials, equipment or services that may be used to provide the firearms safety training, except a working or live firearm.
9. Prohibits a school district or charter school from accepting a donation of a working or live firearm.
10. Specifies that a recognized national or state association includes:
a) a national rifle association;
b) a rifle and pistol association in Arizona;
c) a civilian marksmanship program; or
d) any private institution, academy or organization that provides firearms training as described.
11. Specifies that a teacher or administrator who facilitates or oversees the firearms training is not required to be a certified firearms safety instructor.
12. Contains a legislative intent clause.
13. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
MAPS 2/6/23 DP 8-7-0-0
3rd Read 2/28/23 31-28-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 13, 2023
LB/slp