Tennessee lawmakers pass bill to arm teachers, school staff

Tennessee’s Republican-controlled House passed a bill on Tuesday that would permit certain teachers and school staff to carry concealed guns in public schools.

The bill was approved in a 68-28 vote as chants of “Blood on your hands” rained down from protesters in the legislature gallery.

Afterwards, protesters continued to follow Republican lawmakers into the hall, prompting House Speaker Cameron Sexton to call for the galleries to be cleared.

Under the new law, the concealed carry rule would be accompanied by a restriction stating parents and other teachers would be barred from knowing who is carrying weapons on campus.

“A teacher is not allowed to put a rainbow flag on her desk, but she’s allowed to carry a gun in this state,” Democratic state Sen. Raumesh Akbari fumed.

The bill will be sent to Republican Gov. Bill Lee for final signature, but even if he vetoes it, it appears Republicans have the majority needed for an override.

Under the law, a school employee would first have to obtain a handgun carry permit and undergo a background check and 40 hours of handgun training before packing heat on campus.

Individuals would then have to receive written permission from local law enforcement and their school’s principal, and would not be allowed to carry their weapon inside school auditoriums, stadiums or gymnasiums.

The bill does not allowed weapons to be carried openly on school property or in any way where the gun would be visible.

Republican state Sen. Paul Bailey, who was a co-sponsor of the bill, said the legislation “does not require any teacher in this state to carry a gun while working.”

“This bill is completely permissive,” he added. “It simply gives a faculty or staff member the option.”

The new law comes just a little over a year since the Covenant School shooting in March 2023, when a gunman opened fire in a Nashville Christian school and killed three children and three adults.

With News Wire Services