The Tennessee state legislature recently passed a bill that would allow teachers and school staff to carry concealed handguns in schools, following a school shooting in Nashville where six individuals were killed. The bill, which passed the Tennessee House with a vote of 68-28, requires individuals to obtain an enhanced handgun carry permit and undergo annual training in order to carry a concealed weapon on school property. The bill was supported by Republicans but faced opposition from Democrats, with protesters disrupting the proceedings and criticizing the bill as promoting more gun violence in schools.
One key point of contention with the bill is that the identities of faculty or staff members who choose to carry concealed handguns will remain confidential, only known by an administrative officer responsible for safety within the school district. This means that parents will not be informed if their child’s teacher is carrying a gun. Proponents of the bill argue that it will increase school security, especially in areas where law enforcement response times may be longer. GOP Rep. Ryan Williams, a supporter of the bill, emphasized that the goal is to protect students and deter potential threats to school security, making schools safer across the state.
The bill allows schools to opt out of allowing their staff to carry guns, according to GOP Sen. Paul Bailey. However, this provision is not clearly outlined in the text of the bill. Currently, at least 32 states have laws allowing teachers to carry guns in K-12 schools, with varying requirements for obtaining approval to do so. The circumstances around carrying guns differ between public and private schools in some states, highlighting the complexities of this issue.
Tennessee Democrats strongly opposed the bill in both the House and Senate, with Tennessee Senate Democrats criticizing Republicans for their response to gun violence in schools. Sen. London Lamar described the bill as dangerous and expressed concern that more children would be at risk of gun violence. Democrats argue that promoting more guns in schools is not a solution to preventing school shootings and could potentially put more lives at risk.
The passage of this bill comes in the wake of a tragic school shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, where three students and three teachers were killed by a gunman who was later killed by police. The shooting, which was one of over 650 mass shootings in the previous year, prompted discussions in the legislature about mental health and resources for schools. However, little real change came out of the special session, leaving many frustrated. One key question now is whether Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, will sign the bill into law, as it can become law without his signature. Lee has never vetoed a bill before, so the fate of this controversial legislation remains uncertain.
