Tennessee Passes Bill Allowing Teachers to Carry Concealed Handguns at School

Tennessee Passes Bill Allowing Teachers to Carry Concealed Handguns at School

In a controversial move, Tennessee lawmakers have approved a bill that would allow teachers to carry concealed handguns at school. The bill, which was passed in a 68-28 vote in the Republican-dominated Tennessee House, has sparked heated debate and protests from opponents.

The push for arming teachers comes in the wake of a tragic school shooting in Nashville last year, where three children and three adult staffers lost their lives. Supporters of the bill argue that arming teachers could deter potential school shooters, while critics fear that it could lead to tragic accidental shootings.

State Representative Justin Pearson, a Democrat who was briefly expelled from the House last year for protesting gun control measures, expressed his disappointment in the decision. “This is an awful day for Tennessee, our kids, our teachers, and communities,” Pearson wrote on social media. “Instead of protecting kids, they’ve protected guns AGAIN!”

Under the new bill, teachers interested in carrying a concealed handgun at school would have to undergo at least 40 hours of training in school policing, with the cost of training and firearms to be covered by the individual. The identity of the armed teacher or staffer would not be made public, and approval from school leaders and local law enforcement would be required.

Tennessee now joins about half of all states in the US that allow teachers or school employees to carry firearms on school grounds. The debate over gun laws and school safety continues to be a contentious issue in the country, with both sides advocating for different approaches to prevent future tragedies.