The Tennessee State Senate has passed a new bill allowing school teachers and staff to carry concealed firearms in classrooms.
However, the bill’s passage was met with outrage from gun reform advocates.
BREAKING: Tennessee Senate has advanced a bill to allow some teachers to carry handguns on public school grounds.
— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) April 10, 2024
Protestors expressed concerns as Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, presiding over the session, ordered state troopers to clear the gallery following disruptions.
Under Senate Bill 1325, teachers will be permitted to carry concealed handguns if they meet stringent criteria.
Eibive educators must pass background checks and complete a comprehensive training program.
The bill marks a significant development in Tennessee’s approach to school security.
The news comes after House Bill 1202 stalled in the House since last year.
Emotional testimonies emerged in the wake of the contentious debate, reflecting the deep-seated concerns of parents.
A mother of students at Covenant School in Nashville expressed her opposition to the bill, citing her children’s experience during a school shooting incident.
If this goes through, I wonder how long before a Teacher shoots a student.
— Tom Williams (@tommyboy0690) April 11, 2024
'Absolutely Absurd': Tennessee GOP Advances Concealed Guns for Teachers https://t.co/XNmeOEHXHz
Her sentiments also echoed fellow mothers of Covenant School students, who highlighted the importance of sharing personal experiences in shaping legislative decisions.
Tennessee Senate passes bill which allows school teachers to carry concealed weapons. 👏👏👏
— Sequencer (@RealSeq16) April 11, 2024
Do you agree with this decision? I do! pic.twitter.com/L6f5ihsbgD
Watch
Resist The Mainstream reported:
Despite their disappointment with the bill’s passage, they remained determined to advocate for their children’s safety in the face of adversity.
Senate Bill 1325 authorizes Tennessee school faculty or staff to carry concealed handguns on school grounds. It outlines, however, strict requirements for educators wishing to carry concealed firearms on school premises.
Prospective participants must obtain written authorization from school administrators, provide biometric data such as fingerprints, undergo extensive background checks, and receive certification from licensed mental health professionals confirming their fitness to carry firearms.
Eligible individuals must also undergo annual training specific to school policing, totaling a minimum of 40 hours per year. This training includes hands-on instruction provided by law enforcement agencies to ensure proficiency in firearm handling and school security protocols.
The bill includes provisions to shield law enforcement agencies from liability related to firearm use by school staff. Despite these safeguards, concerns persist regarding the potential implications of arming educators and the broader impact on school safety dynamics.
The bill, sponsored by Tennessee’s Sen. Paul Bailey, reflects ongoing efforts to address school safety concerns in the wake of increasing incidents of violence.
While proponents argue that empowering teachers with concealed firearms is a necessary step toward enhancing security, critics remain skeptical, questioning the effectiveness of such measures in mitigating the risks associated with school shootings.
Tennessee law notably already permits school resource officers, designated through agreements between local school districts and law enforcement agencies, to carry firearms on campus.
The picture doesn’t show her, but actress Candice King, (Caroline Forbes in the Vampire Diaries and sequels) was there as well. She has two daughters and sadly, is living down to the stereotype of “Dumb Blond.”
My question to these people is simple. Why do you not want to use every tool in the box to protect your children? Why do you want to prevent others, who if they happen to be there when evil people come to do harm to your children, from having the means to keep your children safe?
And why are you actively working to enable those crazy nuts who want to murder children? (Of the last half dozen or so incidents, all but one were “Transgendered.” The outlier was the one in Maine and they found he was suffering from brain damage due to concussions)
Let’s hope statistics are kept. Betcha the Tenessee Mass shootings go to zero. While the rest of the country wants more gun free zones, isn’t it interesting over 80% of mass shootings occur in gun free zones. The number of trams shooters is escalating too, the.media won’t cover that!
About fifty years ago Israel had a similar but much worst problem of school shootings and their solution was to take every adult working at the school to the firing range and issue them a FULLY AUTOMATIC WEAPON. Everyone from the principal to the janitor was fully trained on how to fire, care for and properly store the weapon. They never had any more problems with people coming into their schools shooting and killing kids after that. Texas has 170 school districts that allow teachers and school staff to be armed on campus for self-defense. Also about another 100 school districts from South Dakota, Arkansas and Colorado have similar programs in effect for nearly 5 years. These armed school districts do not make news with reports of accidental shootings, students getting their teachers’ guns, or armed faculty committing crimes on campus. Rather, they enjoy not making news, as the deterrent of having certain teachers armed appears to make attackers think twice before striking. This “common sense” proposal that President Trump has advocated has a long history of success and should be implemented.