Elementary school teachers' involvement in firearm safety education

This national study assessed elementary school teachers’ (n = 352) firearm safety education activities and perceptions using a 3‐wave mailing survey. One percent of the teachers reported receiving undergraduate training regarding firearm safety. Yet, 12% claimed to be well prepared or very well prepared to teach firearm safety. Most teachers had high perceived self‐efficacy regarding teaching firearm safety and perceived firearm safety education as important. Ten percent were currently teaching firearm safety. Teachers perceived 3 main barriers to teaching firearm safety: not enough expertise (66%), not sure what topics should be taught (58%), and not enough time to include firearm safety in the curriculum (54%). About one third (35%) desired further information regarding teaching firearm safety. (J Sch Health. 2005;75(3):105‐111)