Tennessee Lawmakers Pass Bill Allowing School Teachers And Staff To Carry Handguns
Tennessee House Republicans passed legislation which will allow select trained teachers and school staff to carry handguns on Tuesday.
The new law comes after pushback from Democrats, students, and gun-reform advocates urging the house to defeat the bill. Once legislation had passed, dozens of protesters chanted from the galleries "Blood on your hands." Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton was reportedly forced to rally state troopers to clear the galleries.
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Per USA Today, the House floor turned to chaos in response to the gun bill, which could become law within just a matter of a few weeks.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee can either sign the bill, or allow the bill to become law without his signature. Per the news outlet, Governor Lee has yet to veto a bill.
According to CNN, school faculty or staff members can carry a concealed handgun on school grounds so long as they are able to:
Get an enhanced carry permit
Get written authorization from the superintendent, principal and the chief of the appropriate law enforcement agency
Complete 40 hours of basic training in school policing and 40 hours of Peace Officer's Standards and Training commission-approved training that is specific to school policing each year at the educator's expense
Undergo a psychological exam conducted by a Tennessee-licensed health care provider
Complete a background check
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"Teachers, Principals and School Personnel - As introduced, authorizes a faculty or staff member of a school to carry a concealed handgun on school grounds subject to certain conditions, including obtaining an enhanced handgun carry permit and completing annual training," the bill states.
Under the bill, parents wouldn't necessarily be notified if their child is supervised by an armed teacher or faculty member, which according to the news outlet, is a major point of contention for the bill's opponents.