Hospital-based firearm-safety program highlights child-focused lessons in Knox County schools

Molly Harris, violence prevention manager with St. Joseph London (CommonSpirit Health), told the Knox County Board of Education on Oct. 24 that a hospital-led firearm-safety program piloted at Lane Camp Elementary has expanded across the district and beyond.

Harris said the program emphasizes safe storage, age-appropriate conversations and free safety devices provided to families, and that it is intended as a safety-focused curriculum rather than a statement on firearms. "It is not pro gun, it is not anti gun. It is pro safety and it is pro our kids," Harris said during the presentation.

The superintendent and other district staff thanked Harris and program coordinator Jera Burkhart for work in the schools. Harris said the effort has drawn statewide and national attention and that "Here in Kentucky, we've reached more than 8,000 kids and counting," noting the program has been shared with neighboring districts as a rural-community model.

Program elements Harris described include classroom lessons for preschool through first grade and refresher sessions for older students, parent education offered through hospitals and clinics, a community outreach presence at events, and distribution of free firearm-safety storage devices and related materials to families.

The presenter invited questions and offered follow-up for district staff; no formal action was taken by the board on the presentation. The district indicated appreciation for the program and accepted a small service recognition presented by the visitors.