Legislature OKs permitting armed teachers in Tennessee schools
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — After hours of tense debate and impassioned cries, the Tennessee General Assembly gave the final OK for teachers to carry in K-12 schools in Tennessee, prompting fierce outcry from the gallery.
Lawmakers and advocates alike debated the issue for over two hours, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle arguing why the measure was or was not necessary before ultimately passing the bill.
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The bill, brought by Cookeville Republican Ryan Williams, would permit teachers to carry concealed handguns on campus if they meet certain requirements.
Among the necessary requirements are a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between local law enforcement, the school district and the particular school principal. Unless those three entities come to an understanding on allowing faculty and staff to carry on school grounds during school hours, nothing else can happen.
If the three agree to an MOU, then teachers and staff members in that specific school would be required to meet more requirements:
Submit to a background check
Pass a psychological evaluation
Receive 40 hours of firearms training
Submit their fingerprints
Where some educators may fall short is the psychological evaluation, which Williams said was previously a hiccup to teachers wanting to go armed in schools.
According to Williams, the legislature passed a bill in 2016 that granted funding for districts in so-called “distressed counties” to allow for armed faculty members. At that time, only 13 counties qualified as “distressed,” and the number has reduced over time, Williams said.
Even with the permissive nature of that bill, not many educators took up the mantle, he said.
The legislature further approved a measure in 2017 that would allow faculty members in higher education with enhanced carry permits to go armed without notification of their educational institution, Williams said. Since then, he added, crime across all categories has reduced by upwards of 20%. That bill required those wanting to go armed on college campuses to notify law enforcement, Williams said.
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The move was hotly contested, with Democrats bringing more than a dozen amendments to try to mitigate the circumstances of the bill. All failed on party lines.
The bill ultimately passed 68-28-2. It now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his signature.
As soon as the final vote was read, the gallery erupted with chants of “Blood on your hands!” and “Vote them out!” by those gathered. House Speaker Cameron Sexton had both galleries cleared of the visitors, including members of the press.
In the commotion after the vote, Rep. Justin Jones was called out of order multiple times for recording video on the House floor in violation of House rules. He was officially ruled out of order three times, meaning he will lose his speaking privileges for the remainder of Tuesday and all of Wednesday.
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