(ProsperNews.net) – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has signed legislation allowing teachers to carry guns in school. The bill passed through the state legislature amid unrest and protest, but Republican proponents insist it will make pupils safer. GOP lawmakers introduced the proposal in response to a Nashville shooting last year that killed six, including three children.
During a press conference immediately before signing the bill, Governor Lee emphasized that school districts have choices, and none will be forced to introduce firearms.
Strict rules will apply, and school superintendents, principals, and law enforcement leaders will be required to approve firearms applications. The applicant will also undergo background checks, a psychological exam, and several hours of training. Furthermore, guns will not be permitted in gymnasiums, stadiums, or other venues where crowds or audiences gather.
Several parents have spoken out against the bill, echoing the concerns of many teachers. Nashville mom Devon Dixon said she believes in guns but does not think arming teachers is the proper response to school shootings. “Everyone is grasping at straws because no one has the answer,” she said.
State Rep. Charlie Baum, a Republican, agreed and believes arming teachers will not prevent tragedies such as those that occurred at the Covenant Christian School in March 2023. He questioned logistics, wondering where guns would be stored, how soon a teacher could get to one, and whether it would be enough to stop a student or students potentially armed with high-powered automatic weapons.
Similarly, teacher Mark Griffith of Chattanooga clarified his position, stating, “We’re educators, not law enforcement officers.”
Michelle Kafer, a mother from outside Nashville, fully supports the new proposals, however, saying the US Constitution allows citizens to take responsible measures to protect themselves.
Others argue that opposition to the Tennessee legislation is out of proportion, given that several states already allow concealed carry in schools without incident. Teachers can carry guns in Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Florida, Wyoming, and Texas.
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