HB 2448
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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-fifth Legislature
Second Regular Session
House: MAPS DPA 8-7-0-0
HB 2448: firearms safety; training; schools
Sponsor: Representative Nguyen, LD 1
House Engrossed
Overview
Outlines firearm safety training requirements for public school students in grades 6 through 12.
History
Statute currently states that the Arizona Game and Fish Department may provide training in the
safe handling and use of bows or firearms for schools that request this instruction (A.R.S. § 15-
713).
Statute further stipulates that any firearm or bow training may only be offered as an elective credit
for students (A.R.S. § 15-714).
In addition to voluntary training in the use of bows and firearms, statute allows any school district
or charter school, to offer the Arizona gun safety program course as an elective course in firearm
marksmanship (A.R.S. § 15-714.01).
The Arizona gun safety program course must include the following at a minimum:
1) Instruction on the rules of firearm safety;
2) Instruction on basic operation of firearms;
3) Instruction on the history of firearms and marksmanship;
4) Instruction on the role of firearms in preserving peace and freedom;
5) Instruction on the constitutional roots of the right to keep and bear arms;
6) Instruction on the use of clay targets;
7) Practice time at a shooting range; and
8) A demonstration of firearm competence by the student through the safe discharge of a
firearm at one or more targets (A.R.S. § 15-714.01).
Provisions
1. Requires school districts and charter schools to provide public school students in grades 6
through 12 with one or more firearms safety training sessions effective July 1, 2023. (Sec. 1)
2. States any firearm training session conducted must meet all of the following requirements:
a) Has been in operation for over 30 years.
b) Seeks to assist parents, law enforcement, community groups and educators navigate
firearms safety;
c) Was developed by a task force of experts including educators and firearms safety experts;
and
d) Teaches children what to do if they come across a firearm. (Sec. 1)
3. Stipulates that a school district or charter school, may use any of the following types of
firearms safety instructors:
a) Instructors certified by a recognized national or state association;
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note HB 2448
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b) Active or retired law enforcement officers; or
c) Teachers or faculty certified by a recognized national or state association. (Sec. 1)
4. Prohibits training on firearms operation or qualification and hunting education. (Sec. 1)
5. Specifies that a student must be excused from the training if the student's parent requests, or
if the student is disabled and the determination is made to excuse the student from the
training. (Sec. 1)
6. Allows a school district or charter school to accept donations of training materials, equipment
or services to provide the training. (Sec. 1)
7. Contains a legislative intent clause. (Sec. 2)