Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
The Tennessee Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that will allow public school teachers in the state to carry a concealed weapon on school grounds.
Senate Bill 1325 (SB1325), sponsored by Senator Paul Bailey (R-Sparta-District 15), would authorize school faculty and staff members to carry concealed weapons “subject to certain conditions, including obtaining an enhanced handgun carry permit and completing annual training.”
The bill would require that any teacher carrying a concealed weapon complete 40 hours of training.
Opponents have argued that the training is not sufficient to prepare teachers to handle situations that are difficult for law enforcement officers.
Others question the possibility of accidental shootings and where that liability would fall. Bailey stated that a teacher or staff member who accidentally shoots someone on school property would be personally liable; school systems would not be.
Teachers would also only be allowed to carry a weapon if the director of schools, school principal, and law enforcement chief sign off on an authorization for that individual staff member.
Bailey argued that this would be “another tool that can be used by those K-12 schools in the event that they’re not capable of hiring a school resource office.”
As Senate members discussed the legislation, a group of individuals expressed their opposition from the Senate gallery. Many in the group would snap their fingers in support or hiss when they did not approve of something as Senators tried to debate. Several also spoke towards the beginning of the discussion.
Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge-District 5) gave the group several warnings about disrupting the proceedings but finally asked state troopers to remove them after protestors chanted “Shame on you!” when Bailey noted that teachers would not have to notify parents if they were carrying a gun. About 25 people refused to leave at first but finally did after being warned that they would be arrested if they did not comply.
Because they did not cause disruption, McNally did allow a small group of mothers of Covenant School students to remain in the gallery.
SB1325 passed along party lines with 26 voting in favor and 5 voting against.
The General Assembly website records the votes as follows:
Ayes………………………………………..26
Noes…………………………………………5
Present and not voting……………….1
Senators voting aye were: Bailey, Bowling, Briggs, Crowe, Gardenhire, Haile, Hensley, Jackson, Johnson, Lowe, Lundberg, Massey, Niceley, Pody, Powers, Reeves, Roberts, Rose, Southerland, Stevens, Taylor, Walley, Watson, White, Yager, Mr. Speaker McNally — 26.
Senators voting no were: Akbari, Campbell, Lamar, Oliver, Yarbro — 5
Senators present and not voting were: Swann — 1.
Nothing has been done with the companion House Bill 1202 (HB1202) yet this session and it is currently “Held on the desk” in the House. It was heard by committees last year before all gun-related legislation was moved to the next session.
