Nashville, TN. — Tennessee Republican lawmakers advanced a proposal Tuesday to allow some teachers to carry handguns in public schools, a move that would mark one of the largest expansions of gun access in the state. State since a deadly shooting at a private elementary school last year.
The proposal cleared the GOP-controlled chamber amid emotional chants and shouts from protesters against it. Many were eventually ordered to leave the Senate galleries.
After receiving a 26-5 vote in the Senate, the proposal is now ready for a vote in the House. The bill would prohibit disclosure of which employees carry weapons outside of school administrators and police, including to students’ parents and even other teachers. A principal, a school district, and a law enforcement agency would have to agree to allow staff to carry weapons.
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“As far as the confidential part goes, it’s because of the element of surprise,” CBS Nashville affiliate WTVF-TV said, citing Republican Sen. Paul Bailey. “If you’re a potential intruder, you don’t know if the person you’re meeting is a faculty or authorized staff member. Maybe that will change their mind.”
“I’m upset. My child is at risk under this bill,” said Democratic Sen. London Lamar, holding his 8-month-old son. “This bill is dangerous and teachers don’t want it. Nobody wants it.”
“I saw a lot of them laughing like it was funny,” Lamar added, according to WTVF. “I am offended by many of my colleagues on the ground. This is one of the most dangerous pieces of legislation to come out of this House. They took an oath to give our children literacy and numeracy, and we let’s make it law now.” This will allow the next school shooter to become a teacher with this next legislation. Use common sense. “
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Senate President Randy McNally, a Republican, emptied the stands after many protesters refused to calm down, even though he repeatedly punched them for disruptions. During the nearly 15 minutes it took to evacuate the audience and resume the debate, they continued to chant: “Vote them out!” » “No more silence, end gun violence”; and “Kill the bill, not the kids.”
Heated debate comes about a year after shooting opened fire indiscriminately last March at Covenant School – a Christian institution in Nashville – and killed three children and three adults before being shot and killed by police.
Despite massive, coordinated efforts after the shooting to persuade Tennessee’s Republican-majority Legislature to pass significant gun control measures, lawmakers have largely balked at such calls. They rejected proposals on the subject from Democrats – and even a proposal from the Republican governor – during the regular annual sessions and a special session.
Only a handful of Republican senators spoke in favor of the bill, taking time to emphasize that teachers would not be required to be armed or use their weapons in active shooter situations. They argued it could be particularly useful in rural counties with limited law enforcement resources.
“It is time that we look at the facts of the bill, that we are not trying to shoot a student, but to protect a student from an active shooter whose sole purpose is to enter this school and kill people,” Republican Sen. Ken Yager said. said.
A worker who wishes to carry a handgun will be required to have a permit to carry a handgun, have written permission from the school principal and local law enforcement, pass a background check and complete 40 hours handgun training.
“We’re sending teachers to learn how to handle a combat situation that veteran law enforcement has a hard time understanding,” Democratic Sen. Jeff Yarbro said. “We allow people to do this with a week of training,” he said.
Several parents of Covenant School students attended the performance in opposition to the bill.
“It’s extremely disappointing, just like as a mother,” said Mary Joyce, one of the Covenant mothers. “We are very disappointed with the way things went today and we can absolutely do better.”
Many measures in Tennessee would make guns more accessible
Tennessee Republicans have pushed to loosen gun laws over the years, including signing into law permitless carry of handguns in 2021.
Most recently, House Republicans advanced a proposal in committee that would expand the state’s permitless carry law to include long guns.
The original law allowed residents 21 and older to carry handguns in public without a license. Yet two years later, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti reached a deal in an ongoing lawsuit allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to carry handguns in public. The bill approved Monday is moving slowly through the Statehouse, but still needs approval from the House and Senate.
Meanwhile, last year, Tennessee Republicans passed a law strengthening protections against lawsuits involving gun and ammunition dealers, manufacturers and sellers. This year, they are awaiting the governor’s decision on a bill that would allow private schools with pre-kindergarten classes to have guns on campus. Private schools without pre-kindergarten can already decide whether or not to allow people to bring weapons onto their grounds.
Separately, Senate Republicans on Tuesday proposed an amendment to the Tennessee Constitution’s “right to keep, bear, and bear arms” that would expand that right beyond defense and remove a section giving lawmakers the possibility “of regulating the carrying of weapons with a view to preventing delinquency. » If approved, it won’t appear on the ballot until 2026.
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