Tennessee state legislators approved a bill on Tuesday (24) that allows teachers and school staff in the state to work armed.
The bill, according to the summary, authorizes faculty or school staff to carry a concealed weapon on school premises, subject to certain conditions, such as completing 40 hours of basic school policing training, undergoing a psychological examination conducted by a licensed healthcare provider in Tennessee, and passing a criminal background check.
The bill now goes to the desk of Republican Governor Bill Lee. If he does not veto it, the bill becomes law with or without his signature.
The bill puts the national debate over arming educators back in the spotlight as mass shootings continue not only in American schools but also at parades, festivals, places of worship, and more.
Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in the United States – so far, 436 children under 18 have been killed in gun violence this year, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.
In March 2023, three children and three adults were killed in a shooting at a private elementary school in Nashville. The shooter, a 28-year-old former student, was shot and killed by police.
Thirty-four states prohibit teachers and the general public from carrying guns in elementary and secondary schools, according to data from Everytown for Gun Safety.
According to the bill, parents will not necessarily know or be notified if their child’s teacher is armed – a point of contention for many opponents of the law.
Will allowing teachers to be armed in the classroom protect children from being killed in schools across the country?
Source: CNN