TENNESSEE PASSES BILL ALLOWING TEACHERS TO CARRY GUNS IN SCHOOLS

In a “significant” development in “public safety” legislation, Tennessee legislators passed a bill on Tuesday allowing teachers and school staff to carry concealed handguns on campus.

The bill was approved in a 68-28 vote in the Republican-dominated Tennessee House. The state's Senate passed the bill earlier this month. The measure would mandate training for gun carriers and require approval from school authorities, but notification to parents and most other school employees would not be mandatory.

"This is an awful day for Tennessee, our kids, our teachers, and communities," state Representative Justin Pearson, a Democrat who was booted from the House last year before being voted back in, wrote on social media. "Instead of protecting kids, they've protected guns AGAIN!"

The bill gained traction following a tragic shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville over a year ago, resulting in the deaths of three students and three staff members. The incident prompted widespread calls for action from parents and state officials, including the Republican governor to prevent similar violence in the future.

Republicans and other conservatives have often pushed for teachers to be armed in response to the numerous school shootings that have taken place in the US in the past 25 years. Proponents of the measures argue that armed teachers deter would-be school shooters. Detractors say guns in school will likely only lead to tragic accidental shootings.

About half of all states in the US allow teachers or other school employees to carry firearms on school grounds, according to the Giffords Law Center, a gun safety group.

Under the Tennessee bill, any person wanting to carry a concealed handgun in a school would have to complete at least 40 hours of training in school policing. The cost of the training - along with the firearm - is to be paid by the individual.

Many advocated for tighter gun control measures while some others supported the bill, believing that arming trained adults could serve as a deterrent against potential attackers. However, critics voiced concerns that introducing more firearms into school environments might not enhance safety and could potentially escalate risks for students.

2024-04-24T05:02:04Z dg43tfdfdgfd