Middle TN school districts waiting on further guidance before decisions on arming teachers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — School districts across Tennessee are now permitted to allow teachers to carry firearms on school grounds, after the passing of HB1202 by Rep. Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville).

The bill would permit school districts to allow teachers and staff to be armed during school hours as long as those individuals pass a background check, psychological evaluation and submit their fingerprints to law enforcement, receive 40 hours of special training from law enforcement, and meet the qualifications of the enhanced handgun carry permit.

In order to allow the teachers to go armed, both the school principal and the district’s director of schools would need to enter into a “memorandum of understanding” with the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the school. Without that MOU, no teachers at a school would be allowed to carry under the new law.

Legislature OKs permitting teachers to be armed in Tennessee schools

The move was highly controversial, with bipartisan criticism of the bill, but it ultimately passed and will take effect upon receiving the governor’s signature.

Many school districts in Tennessee have said they will wait for the bill to officially become law before they make any decisions on the measure, but others have already rejected the idea.

Here are some of the responses News 2 has received on the issue.

Metro Nashville Public Schools

“We have a strong relationship with the Metro Nashville Police Department and agree that it is safest for only approved active-duty law enforcement officers to carry weapons on campus. This has been our consistent practice at MNPS, and we have no intention of changing it.”

Coffee County Schools

“There are not any plans to move forward with this MOU option at this time in Coffee County Schools.”

Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom

Rutherford County Schools

“Rutherford County Schools continues to monitor the proposed legislation that would permit school employees to carry firearms while at school. While the governor has not signed off on the legislation, if it were to become law, it would require an agreement between the school district and the local law enforcement agency, which in our case would be the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.

“At this time, we do not see the need for this initiative in our schools.

“Rutherford County Schools already has an extensive School Resource Officer program, which includes at least one trained, armed deputy in all schools. We also have a robust safety program, which includes training for all employees and a number of other safety and security measures. While we don’t disclose all the details of our safety program to the public—because such information is sensitive and could be misused—we have invested heavily in providing and maintaining safe learning environments.”

Wilson County Schools

“Pending Gov. Lee’s singing, it will likely be discussed at upcoming school board meetings with the director and board body.”

Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools

“We are continuously monitoring legislative actions, but as with all legislation, we will await until the bill is signed into law and we receive guidance from TDOE, TN SBE, TDOS, or other agencies before proceeding with considering or developing any local policies in accordance with the law. In CMCSS, we have a strong partnership with the Montgomery county Sheriff’s Office (MSCO), and other law enforcement agencies, and have armed MCSO SROs in all our schools, with more than one in our larger schools, who provide guidance, support, and security. We understand the uncertainty in the community around this bill and the mixed emotions of support and concern from families. As with all school safety laws, we will work in concert with MCSO and other law enforcement and emergency management agencies. Until we receive official guidance, we don’t have any comments on the bill or whether it will or will not apply to CMCSS.”

Tullahoma City Schools

“We are thankful for our SROs and have no further comment at this time.”

Williamson County Schools

“We are continuing to review the legislation and will be talking with our law enforcement leaders. However, the Governor has not signed the legislation and there is no memorandum of understanding. Therefore, faculty and staff are not authorized to carry a concealed handgun on school grounds.”

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This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

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