Tennessee lawmakers recently passed a bill that would allow school staff to carry concealed handguns on campus, with a 68-28 vote in favor of the legislation. This bill will now head to the desk of Republican Governor Bill Lee for final approval. The measure requires faculty and staff who wish to carry a concealed handgun on school grounds to complete at least 40 hours of approved training specific to school policing each year. The push for this bill comes in the wake of ongoing school shootings across the country, with at least 53 reports of gunfire on school grounds resulting in 19 deaths and 37 injuries so far this year.
The passage of this bill sparked protests at the state Capitol in Nashville, where teachers, students, and parents voiced their concerns over the presence of firearms in classrooms. Demonstrators were heard chanting phrases such as “Blood on your hands,” “Not one more,” and “Guns out of schools” during Tuesday’s proceedings. Democratic lawmakers also condemned the legislation, with representatives like Justin Jones and Jason Powell expressing their opposition. Jones took to social media to criticize the bill, describing it as a form of fascism, while Powell raised concerns about the potential dangers and delays it could cause in emergency responses.
Supporters of the bill, including Republican state Representative Ryan Williams who sponsored the House bill, argue that allowing teachers to carry concealed weapons on campus will act as a deterrent to potential threats. Williams emphasized that the bill is a “100% permissive” measure that would require agreement between school districts and local law enforcement before teachers can carry weapons on campus. However, organizations like Everytown for Gun Safety argue that arming teachers is not a solution to school shootings and instead call for common-sense gun laws to keep firearms away from individuals who should not have access to them.
Everytown for Gun Safety urged Governor Lee to veto the bill, expressing concerns about the potential risks and consequences of allowing teachers to carry concealed firearms in schools. The organization’s president, John Feinblatt, stated that the passage of this bill was a negative decision by the Tennessee legislature and that it goes against the interests of concerned parents and teachers. Governor Lee will have the option to either sign the bill into law, allow it to pass without his signature, or veto it. As of now, Lee has not vetoed any legislation during his time as governor, and no official statement has been made in response to the passing of this bill.
