NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee House Republicans faced backlash from protesters on Tuesday after passing a controversial bill that would allow certain teachers and staff to carry concealed handguns on public school grounds. The bill, if signed into law by Republican Gov. Bill Lee, would mark a significant expansion of gun access in the state following a deadly shooting at a private elementary school in Nashville the previous year.
Opponents of the bill criticized the decision, arguing that it would compromise safety and transparency in schools. The measure would prevent parents and other teachers from knowing which employees are armed, with only school administrators and police being privy to that information. Those allowed to carry guns would need approval from a principal, school district, and law enforcement agency, as well as undergo 40 hours of training.
The push for arming school staff represents a departure from previous responses to school shootings. Last year, Governor Lee’s proposal to limit access to firearms for individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others was set aside by Republican legislators. The bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Ryan Williams, defended the measure as a necessary deterrent to address challenges related to shootings across the state.
Despite efforts by Democrats to introduce amendments, including requirements for parental consent and notification of armed individuals, the bill passed with support from House Republicans. In the aftermath of the vote, tensions flared among lawmakers from both parties, with accusations of rule violations and discipline for recording on a phone.
The bill’s future implementation remains uncertain, as some school districts, like Metro Nashville Public Schools, advocate for restricting weapons on campus to approved active-duty law enforcement. Tennessee would join roughly half of states in allowing certain school employees to carry guns on school property if the bill becomes law.
The state has a history of relaxed gun laws, with previous measures expanding handgun carry rights. Tennessee Republicans have consistently supported legislation to loosen gun restrictions, with recent laws providing protections for gun dealers and expanding permission for guns on private school campuses. Additional bills aimed at restricting gun rights for certain individuals await final approval.
In response to a tragic school shooting, the Tennessee legislature’s decision to expand access to firearms reflects ongoing debates over gun control and school safety in the state. The bill’s passage has ignited a broader discussion on balancing security measures with concerns about potential risks and consequences associated with arming school staff.