Tennessee House Passes Bill Allowing Armed Teachers in Schools
Nashville, Tenn.
– Despite widespread protests and opposition from some lawmakers, the Tennessee House of Representatives has passed a bill that would allow certain teachers and staff in public schools to carry concealed handguns. The measure, which cleared the chamber on Tuesday with a 68-28 vote, is now headed to Republican Gov. Bill Lee for consideration.If signed into law, the bill would significantly expand gun access in the state. The bill would bar disclosing which employees are carrying guns beyond school administrators and police, including to students’ parents and even other teachers. A principal, school district, and law enforcement agency would have to agree to let staff carry guns.
The proposal presents a stark contrast to the response to last year’s deadly shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, where a gunman killed three children and three adults. Despite coordinated campaigns after the shooting to persuade the Republican-led Statehouse to enact significant gun control measures, lawmakers have largely refused.
Lawmakers rejected a series of Democratic amendments, including parental consent requirements, notification when someone is armed, and the school district assuming civil liability for any injury, damage, or death due to staff carrying guns.
It’s unclear if any school districts would take advantage of the law should it pass. According to the Giffords Law Center, about half of the U.S. states in some form allow teachers or other employees with concealed carry permits to carry guns on school property.
The bill passed Tuesday would require workers who want to carry a handgun to have a handgun carry permit, written authorization from the school’s principal, and local law enforcement. They would also need to pass a background check and undergo 40 hours of handgun training. They couldn’t carry guns at school events at stadiums, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
Tennessee has previously passed laws loosening gun laws, including approving permit-less carry for handguns in 2021 and allowing private schools with pre-kindergarten classes to have guns on campus this year.
The passage of this bill comes as part of a broader push by Tennessee Republicans in recent years to relax gun laws in the state.
