Nashville, Tennessee – Lawmakers in Tennessee have recently approved a measure that would permit school staff to carry concealed handguns on school premises. This decision follows a tragic incident in which a shooter killed six individuals at a school in Nashville. The bill passed through the Tennessee House with a 68-28 vote, with some Republicans crossing party lines to oppose the legislation. The state Senate, also dominated by the GOP, had previously passed the measure earlier this month.
Republican state Rep. Ryan Williams has expressed that the bill aims to enhance school safety by serving as a deterrent. The legislation requires faculty and staff members interested in carrying concealed handguns on school grounds to undergo a minimum of 40 hours of specialized training focused on school policing annually. During the legislative session, protesters in the gallery voiced their disapproval by chanting, “Blood on your hands.”
Democratic state Rep. Bo Mitchell raised concerns about the measure in light of the tragic shooting at Covenant School in Nashville, which resulted in the deaths of three children and three adults. He questioned the decision to respond to such tragedies by introducing more firearms into school environments. State Sen. Paul Bailey, a Republican supporter of the bill, did not immediately provide a statement in response to the passing of the legislation.
The fate of the measure now lies in the hands of Republican Governor Bill Lee, who can choose to sign the bill into law or allow it to take effect without his signature. Governor Lee, who has not vetoed any legislation during his tenure, has not disclosed his stance on the issue. Tennessee is not alone in allowing teachers to carry guns on school premises, as data from the Giffords Law Center shows that 26 states have similar laws in place with varying exceptions. The discussion around arming educators in schools continues to spark debate and controversy nationwide.