The Tennessee legislature has passed a bill that would allow teachers and staff with concealed carry permits to bring guns into public schools, despite strong opposition from parents, educators, and some lawmakers. The bill now goes to Republican Governor Bill Lee for his signature.
Representative Justin J. Pearson, a Democrat and former community activist from Memphis, expressed serious concerns about the bill’s implications, deeming it “dangerous.” He pointed out the potential for accidents, unintentional discharges, and mistaken identity by police officers.
Pearson said he believes that if the bill is signed into law, accidents and mistakes are inevitable. He expressed fear that a student may find a firearm and accidentally discharge it, harming themselves or others. He also raised concerns that a teacher may try to intervene in an active shooter situation and be mistaken for the shooter by a police officer.
Pearson is optimistic that those who voice their concerns or protest against this new bill may sway the governor’s decision, potentially preventing its enactment into law.
The bill’s passage comes after the Covenant School shooting in Nashville last year, which claimed the lives of six individuals. Following the shooting, Governor Lee signed an executive order aimed at strengthening background checks for firearm purchases.
