Tennessee lawmakers have passed a bill allowing teachers and school staff to carry concealed handguns on school grounds, aimed at enhancing school safety. The measure was approved Tuesday, April 23, by a 68-28 vote in the Tennessee House, a year after a shooting at a Nashville school killed three children and three adults.
The bill now heads to Republican Gov. Bill Lee’s desk where he could either sign it or allow it to become a law without his signature.
Supporters argue the legislation serves as a deterrent to potential threats, requiring staff to undergo 40 hours of specialized training annually.
Republican Rep. Ryan Williams, an advocate for the bill, saying, “This kind of legislation is not new to Tennessee. In fact, in 2016, this body gave K-12 schools in distressed counties the ability to carry guns, teachers and faculty to be able to carry concealed weapons in their schools, and have done for the last seven years without any incident.”
Critics condemn the approach, suggesting it inappropriately responds to school shootings by introducing more guns into the environment.
Republican Rep. Justin Jamal Pearson, called it pathetic adding, “If we are going to have more firearms in our schools, certainly the people who are like my mother, who’s been a teacher for 22 years, would know if someone who is teaching next to them has a firearm in their classroom. This is increasing the dangerousness level of our schools. It is hurting and risking the lives of our children, and each and every one of us will be responsible and accountable for the gun violence that will happen due to this pathetic excuse for dealing with the gun violence epidemic.”
At least 26 other states allow school employees to be armed.
