The Tennessee state legislature has passed a bill that would allow teachers to carry concealed guns in schools. The bill passed in a 68-28 vote on Tuesday, despite protests from the public gallery. The bill’s sponsor, Republican State Representative Ryan Williams, argued that the measure would deter school shootings. However, all Democrats and four Republicans voted against the proposal, calling it “morally insane”.
The law would require any person wishing to carry a concealed handgun inside a school to complete at least 80 hours of training, including 40 hours in school policing and an additional 40 hours per year. School leaders must give approval for an individual to carry a gun, and local law enforcement must be informed of the person’s identity.
The passage of the bill comes just over a year after a deadly school shooting in Nashville that claimed the lives of three children and three staff members. The shooting was carried out by a former student. In the wake of the tragedy, many lawmakers and educators have called for increased security measures in schools.
The Tennessee bill is part of a growing trend of states allowing teachers to carry guns in schools. According to the Giffords Law Center, approximately half of all states in the US permit teachers or other school staff to carry firearms on school grounds. However, the issue remains highly controversial, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
