Push to require firearm safety education in Utah schools stalls for now
Jan 23, 2025, 10:10 PM

The Utah State Board of Education is pictured in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. (Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – A Southern Utah lawmaker’s bill to require schools to teach firearm safety failed to advance out of a legislative committee Thursday.
HB104, sponsored by Rep. Rex Shipp, R-Cedar City, would require the Utah State Board of Education to develop curriculum and standards for teaching firearm safety instruction. Schools would then be required to teach it once a year to students in kindergarten through sixth grade, and at least once to middle and high school students.
The bill came before the House Education Committee Thursday afternoon, but after a hearing, lawmakers on that panel voted 11-2 to hold the bill. That means it will not move forward for now, but it could be brought back later in the session, which ends March 7.
“I think gun safety and education is an important issue,” said Rep. Neil Walter, R-St. George. “I don’t think the implementation in the bill is at a place where we can get to where we need to.”
Shipp told the House committee this bill was part of an effort “to protect our children.” He cited frequent accidental shootings of children and said most kids aren’t exposed to firearms and therefore don’t learn how to use them safely.
Clark Aposhian, board chair of the Utah Shooting Sports Council, called HB104 “very important legislation.”
“We think it’s important to do this,” Aposhian said. “Education is always better than ignorance.”
Shipp acknowledged firearm safety can already be taught in schools, but he noted it is optional. But during public comment, Jeff Jarrett – who said his teenage son was shot and killed by a friend – pointed out firearm safety curriculum already exists as part of the Utah Attorney General’s L.E.T.S. Stay Safe program.
Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Riverton, cited that as one reason why holding the bill and working to get more consensus around would be a good idea.
“The money’s been spent to develop the curriculum,” Pierucci said, “and have that information there.”