Gov. Bill Lee signs bill allowing armed teachers in schools
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has officially signed the legislation that would allow school districts to permit teachers to conceal carry on school grounds.
The measure, which garnered significant backlash from teachers and parents—including Covenant families—ultimately passed along party lines, despite repeated attempted amendments proposed by Democrats.
According to the amended bill, teachers would be able to carry concealed firearms if they meet specific requirements, including submitting their fingerprints, passing a background check and psychological evaluation and taking 40 hours of firearms training related to school security.
Tennessee lawmakers pass bill to allow for armed K-12 teachers
Additionally, they would only be able to carry on school grounds if their specific principal and their director of schools enter a memorandum of understanding with their local law enforcement agency. Without the MOU, no teachers would be allowed to carry under the terms of the law.
Shortly after the 113th General Assembly adjourned for good—sine die—the governor announced at a press conference that he did intend to sign the newly-passed law.
The law takes effect immediately upon receiving the governor’s sign-off and will be in place before the 2024-2025 school year.
Many school districts in Tennessee released statements indicating they would wait to see if the governor signed the legislation before they made official decisions about whether or not to opt into the program. Once the governor announced his decision to sign the law, they changed course.
Metro Nashville Public Schools said they have no plans to allow for armed teachers, instead relying on the School Resource Officers (SROs) stationed at each school in Nashville.
Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom
Regardless of if the governor signed the legislation, the law would take effect in Tennessee. According to the state Capitol website, the governor traditionally has 10 days to either sign or veto a bill. If he doesn’t sign a bill passed by the general assembly, it becomes law without his signature.
In 2016, former Gov. Bill Haslam allowed a bill that would allow college faculty to carry if they met permit requirements to become law without his signature.
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