Tennessee lawmakers approved a bill on Tuesday to equip teachers with firearms. This legislation, which is now awaiting the governor’s approval, follows a tragic incident that took place one year ago at a Nashville elementary school, where six individuals, including three children, lost their lives in a mass shooting.
The measure was approved by Tennessee’s House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon with a vote of 68 to 28. The approval came amidst heavy security and loud protests in the chamber, with chants of “blood is on your hands” and “vote them out.” The bill had previously been approved by the state Senate earlier this month.
“Tennessee Republicans have decisively ended the discussion and approved a bill that allows teachers to carry firearms in our schools,” expressed Democratic Representative Justin Jones in a recent post on X.
“The Speaker ordered troopers to clear the gallery amidst the public’s chants of ‘Blood on your hands!’ This is a stark reminder of the face of fascism,” expressed the lawmaker.
Tennessee Republicans have recently taken swift action by passing a bill to arm teachers in our schools. They made the decision to cut off debate and move forward with this measure, aiming to ensure the safety and security of our educational institutions.
Amidst the chaos, the Speaker ordered the troopers to clear the gallery, while the public chanted, “Blood on your hands!”
“This is a clear representation of what fascism resembles. [source] Rep. Justin Jones (@brotherjones_) shared a powerful image on Twitter, showcasing the disturbing nature of this ideology. [source] The tweet, posted on April 23, 2024, includes a photo that serves as a visual reminder of the dangers posed by fascism.”
HB 1202/SB 1325 proposes a measure that would grant permission to specially-trained teachers to carry concealed handguns. The key aspect of this proposal is that parents would not be informed about which teachers are armed.
State Senator Paul Bailey and State Representative Ryan Williams have introduced a measure aimed at creating a deterrent to school shootings. The proposal, which had previously stalled over a year ago, is being championed by the Republicans.
“I believe that this bill is necessary,” expressed Williams. “Its purpose is to establish a deterrent. We are well aware that deterrence holds immense value in ensuring the safety of our children. Sadly, the hearts of some individuals are broken, making it challenging to keep our kids protected. This particular area is known as a gun-free zone, which unfortunately makes it a target for those looking to exploit vulnerable individuals.”
Democratic state Representative Bo Mitchell expressed his incredulity at the response of increasing the presence of guns in schools following the tragic incidents of students and teachers being killed. He questioned the logic behind such a solution, stating, “What’s wrong with us? Is this the best response we can come up with?”
The bill was brought forth in January 2023, well over two months prior to the tragic incident at the Covenant School. In this incident, a former student took the lives of three 9-year-olds and three adults. Audrey Hale, the perpetrator, unleashed a total of 152 rounds from an assault rifle during the shooting rampage on March 27, 2023. It is important to note that she was subsequently neutralized by the police.
House Democrats attempted to modify the bill in order to grant parents the right to be informed if their child’s teacher is armed but were unsuccessful in their endeavor.
“This bill is absolutely outrageous,” exclaimed Jones, who was expelled from office last year due to what he described as a Republican effort to restrict discussion. “For heaven’s sake, this is unheard of. You all should be ashamed of yourselves. It’s as if you’re holding our state hostage. May democracy ultimately remove you from your positions.”
Teachers who wish to carry guns would be required to go through a series of steps under the bill. This includes obtaining a background check, undergoing a psychological examination, and receiving written authorization from the principal, superintendent, and head of law enforcement for their city or county.
Teachers would also be required to undergo 40 hours of training in school policing initially, as well as an additional 40 hours of training every year.
Some school districts have stated that they do not intend to arm their teachers.
MNPS spokesperson Sean Braisted emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong partnership with the Metro Nashville Police Department. He stated that both parties are in agreement regarding the safety measure of allowing only approved active-duty law enforcement officers to carry weapons on campus.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee recently stated that he would carefully review the bill before giving his approval, but he expressed his support for the concept.
“I am highly interested in the specifics of that legislation. I am open to the idea, but it will heavily rely on the details.”