MSCS, local law enforcement opt out of arming teachers in school

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Shelby County School teachers will not be allowed to carry guns in school despite the legislation allowing them to, according to the superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins.

This comes after Feagins, Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, Jr., and Interim Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis agreed on maintaining school safety through trained law enforcement personnel.

In a recently released video, they explain that firearms have no place in classrooms.

Tennessee legislators pass bill to arm teachers in school

“We will not allow teachers to carry guns in our schools,” Superintendent Feagins said.

“Schools are for learning, and emergency situations should be handled by trained officers,” Chief Bonner said.

Chief Davis joins in saying that they are all united on the issue.

The new law to allow school faculty and staff to carry a concealed handgun on school property under certain conditions was passed in April. However, authorization is required from the school’s principal, superintendent, and chief of the local law enforcement agency.

MSCS superintendent addresses safety, arming teachers in school

On April 30, MSCS passed a resolution that prohibits MSCS employees from carrying firearms onto school property.

The resolution states, “The Board does not believe that arming school staff is the most effective approach for Memphis-Shelby County Schools. That is the expectation of the Board that school staff serve first and foremost as trained, focused, and dedicated educators, not law enforcement and/or security officers.”

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