The Tennessee House Republicans faced backlash from protesters after passing a bill that would allow some teachers and staff to carry concealed handguns on public school grounds while keeping this information secret from parents and other educators. The 68-28 vote in favor of the bill was the biggest expansion of gun access in the state since a deadly shooting at a Nashville school the previous year. The bill is now awaiting approval from Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who is likely to sign it into law. The proposed law would require workers to have a handgun carry permit, written authorization from the school principal and local law enforcement, pass a background check, and undergo 40 hours of handgun training.
The bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Ryan Williams, argued that allowing staff to carry guns would act as a deterrent against potential shootings in schools. However, Democratic lawmakers criticized the bill, accusing their colleagues of pandering to the gun industry and disregarding the safety of students and staff. The bill also includes provisions that would prevent districts from being held liable for any injuries, damages, or deaths resulting from staff carrying guns. It is unclear if any school districts would opt to allow staff to carry weapons if the bill becomes law, as some districts, like Metro Nashville Public Schools, believe it is safest to only have active-duty law enforcement officers armed on campuses.
The bill was a stark departure from a previous proposal by Gov. Lee to keep guns away from individuals deemed dangerous, which was quickly dismissed by Republican legislators. This bill aligns with Tennessee’s recent trend of loosening gun laws, including a 2021 law that allowed residents over 21 to carry handguns in public without a permit. The state has also passed laws protecting gun and ammunition dealers, manufacturers, and sellers from lawsuits, as well as allowing private schools with pre-kindergarten classes to have guns on campus. However, there have also been efforts to implement restrictions, such as removing gun rights for juveniles deemed delinquent due to specific offenses.
Despite the tragic shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville in 2023, lawmakers in Tennessee have largely resisted significant gun control measures. The House Republicans’ decision to approve the bill allowing teachers and staff to carry concealed handguns has drawn criticism and protests from those who believe it compromises school safety. The bill’s passage signals a continued shift towards expanding gun access in the state, raising concerns about the potential consequences of arming school personnel and the impact on students and educators. It remains to be seen how the implementation of the law will unfold and whether other districts will follow suit in allowing staff to carry guns on school grounds.
