Defence Force school visits are set to be a lot less hands-on as officials move to keep firearms out of pupils' hands during such visits.

New draft guidelines also encourage boards of trustees to create policies for firearms used by gun clubs and cadet forces or for shooting competitions, firearms safety training, school plays and pest control.

Former Education Minister Nikki Kaye requested clear guidelines last June after a Stuff story in April showed the army allowed 9- to 13-year-olds at Whakarongo School, just outside Palmerston North, to get their hands on unloaded guns and learn how to assemble and fire an assault rifle.

At the time, pupils told Stuff they enjoyed the session and deputy principal Lisa Cuff said she did not think the nature of visit was controversial.

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The draft guidelines now state that no pupil, caregiver or staff can hold a firearm during a Defence Force visit.

The New Zealand School Trustees Association and the Ministry of Education said they did not support the unsupervised access of firearms in schools, but they did acknowledge there were legitimate circumstances where firearms may be part of pupils' education or a sporting activity.

School Trustees Association president Lorraine Kerr, who helped develop the proposed rules, said many schools have had cadet groups for decades, and a few have competitive shooting teams.

Hunting was a popular activity that many Kiwis started learning at a young age, particularly in rural areas, she said.

"So, schools will often do visits with police, the Defence Force or the [local] deer-stalkers' association to teach firearm safety."

But last year's controversy highlighted a need make sure schools, parents, and visiting experts were all on the same page about what was acceptable, Kerr said.

"What we're hoping these guidelines will do is bring some clarity and consistency to how schools handle these [visits].

"We've spent [the last year] consulting firearms experts, police, the Defence Force and hunting and gun clubs around the country. Now it's time to ask the public, particularly parents and schools, what they think."

The draft guidelines, which are open for submissions until April 11, will be finalised in July.

Manawatū Principals' Association president Wayne Jenkins said last year the debate was "a storm in a teacup", particularly because there were no actual safety concerns raised around the Whakarongo School visit.

And Manawatū Small Bore Rifle Association executive member Martin Hunt was worried a "knee-jerk reaction" to the controversy would mean children missed out on interesting and informative visits from the military in the future.