Some fourth and fifth graders in Owensboro got a chance to learn about gun safety.

Students at Meadow Lands Elementary School learned the ins and outs about guns – what to do when they encounter a loaded gun in their home, and who to turn to if they have questions if they’re put in a situation that could turn deadly.

Educator Bill Fannin with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife says at least 95% of students raised their hands when asked if their parents have guns at home.

“Sometimes I get choked up about this because I just think maybe some kid will take this and go out there and it’ll save their life,” Fannin said.

The goal for faculty and staff is to bring gun safety awareness to students and inform them of what they may not know, or what they haven’t learned at home.

Some students say they took a lot out of today’s class. “I learned you need to be safe around guns and you need to know who your hunting with and you need to unload your gun when you are done,” student Annabelle Lynn said.

According to a debate.org poll, 81% of parents are ok with gun safety being taught in schools.

“Our number priority is student safety – we believe that whether a family supports guns – or is against guns we respect that,” Kevin Lowe said.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife says they teach gun safety across the Commonwealth, numerous times a year, and host a summer camp teaching wildlife safety, gun control, hunting and outdoor activities.

“It’s important just because we realize the number of students homes that have guns in them our greatest fear is that a child will pick up a gun and make a wrong choice – we want to prep them for every choice they make in life,” Lowe said.

Students like Carter admit to having guns or weapons in their home.

“Our family has a few guns and two bow and arrows,” Carter Houk said.

In a report published by ABC News, the Department of Education agrees that relying solely on education in schools is not the answer, and parents need to take a proactive approach if they are going to have guns in the home.

According to the CDC, on average 1,300 children are killed each year by unintentional gun fire involving other children, and, of those, 82% are boys under the age of 16.

It’s important to know that during this lesson no real firearms or live ammunition were used.

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the Tri-State, follow Eyewitness News on Facebook and Twitter.

(This story was originally published on November 28, 2018)