Sen. Bullard’s bill to add annual firearm safety instruction in public schools advances

Sen. Bullard, speaking as the bill’s author, told the Senate Education Committee that House Bill 33‑12 would require annual, age‑appropriate firearm safety instruction in all public schools beginning in the 2026–27 school year and directs CLEA, in consultation with the Department of Education, to develop the curriculum.

The bill specifies that instruction be age‑appropriate for each grade band and establishes an annual requirement, but does not compel districts to adopt the program; some language in the bill frames it as permissive for districts while establishing the curriculum framework.

During committee questions, Sen. Hicks asked why the bill uses an opt‑out model for parents rather than opt‑in consent. Bullard responded that the statutory text leaves adoption to the school (a permissive 'may') and characterized opt‑out as the prevailing practice for many school‑based programs. Hicks said in some contexts, such as certain health or comprehensive education subjects, opt‑in is used.

Bullard closed by recounting a personal experience from middle school in which a classmate found a relative’s firearm and a student was killed, saying the episode underscored the need for instruction in firearm safety. The committee voted by roll call; the clerk recorded 9 ayes and 2 nays, and the bill was declared passed by the committee.

The committee did not adopt amendments on the floor and the bill now moves to the next step in the legislative process.