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.