Nashville, Tenn. — Republican lawmakers in Tennessee advanced a proposal Tuesday to allow some teachers to carry handguns on public school grounds, a move that would mark one of the state's biggest expansions of gun access since a deadly shooting at a private elementary school last year.
The proposal cleared the GOP-controlled chamber amid emotional chants and screams from protesters against it. Many were eventually ordered to leave the Senate galleries.
After receiving a 26-5 party-line Senate vote, the proposal is now ready for a House floor vote. The bill would bar disclosing which employees are carrying guns beyond school administrators and police, including to parents of students and even other teachers. A principal, school district and law enforcement agency would have to agree to let staff carry guns.
"Regarding the portion of confidentially, that is because of the element of surprise," CBS Nashville affiliate WTVF-TV quotes Republican state Sen. Paul Bailey as saying. "If you are a possible intruder, you don't know if the person you encounter is an authorized faculty or staff member. That maybe will change their mind about coming."
"I'm upset. My child is at risk under this bill," expressed Democratic state Sen. London Lamar, while cradling her 8-month-old son. "This bill is dangerous and teachers don't want it. Nobody wants it."
"I saw many laughing like it's funny," Lamar added, as reported by WTVF. "I am offended by many of my colleagues on the floor. This is one of the most dangerous pieces of legislation to come out of this assembly. They took an oath to give our kids writing and arithmetic, and we are now making them as law enforcement. It will enable the next school shooter. It's going to be a teacher with this next legislation. Use common sense."
Rowdy galleries
Senate Speaker Randy McNally, a Republican, cleared the galleries after many protesters refused to quiet down even as he gaveled them down repeatedly for disruptions. In the nearly 15 minutes it took to remove the audience and resume the debate, they continued chanting, "Vote them out;" "No more silence, end gun violence;" and "Kill the bill, not the kids."
The heated debate comes about a year after a shooter indiscriminately opened fire last March at The Covenant School - a Christian institution in Nashville - and killed three children and three adults before being fatally shot by police.
Following the shooting incident, there was a strong push for Tennessee's Republican-controlled statehouse to implement stricter gun control measures. However, lawmakers have mostly rejected these calls, including proposals from Democrats and even the Republican governor, across regular and special sessions.
While only a few GOP senators supported the bill, they emphasized that teachers would not be obligated to carry firearms or use them in active shooter scenarios. They suggested that this measure could be beneficial in rural areas with limited law enforcement.
"It's important to understand the essence of the bill, which is not about shooting students but safeguarding them from an active shooter intent on causing harm within the school premises," stated Republican Sen. Ken Yager.
To carry a handgun on school grounds, an employee would need a handgun carry permit, written consent from the school principal and local law enforcement, pass a background check, and complete 40 hours of handgun training.
"We are training teachers to handle combat situations that even seasoned law enforcement officers find challenging to grasp. Allowing individuals to do so with just a week of training is concerning," remarked Democratic Sen. Jeff Yarbro.
Several parents of students at Covenant School expressed their opposition to the bill.
"As a mother, it is incredibly disheartening," expressed Mary Joyce, a member of the Covenant mothers. "We are deeply disappointed with the events of today, and we have the potential to do much better."
Tennessee Considers Several Measures to Facilitate Gun Access
Over the years, Tennessee Republicans have been advocating for the relaxation of gun regulations, culminating in the approval of permitless carry for handguns in 2021.
Most recently, House Republicans have moved forward with a proposal from the committee to extend the state's permitless carry law to include long guns.
The initial law permitted individuals aged 21 and above to carry handguns in public without a permit. However, following an ongoing lawsuit, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti reached an agreement two years later, allowing 18 to 20-year-olds to also carry handguns publicly. Although the bill was approved on Monday, it is still progressing through the statehouse and must pass the House and Senate.
Furthermore, in the previous year, Tennessee Republicans enacted a law enhancing protections against lawsuits involving gun and ammunition dealers, manufacturers, and sellers. This year, they anticipate the governor's decision on a bill that would authorize private schools with pre-kindergarten classes to have firearms on their premises. Private schools without pre-K already have the discretion to permit individuals to carry guns on their property.
During their session on Tuesday, Senate Republicans made progress on a proposal to expand the Tennessee Constitution's "right to keep, bear, and wear arms." The amendment aims to extend this right beyond self-defense and remove a clause that allows lawmakers to "regulate the wearing of arms to prevent crime." If this amendment is passed, it will not appear on the ballot for approval until 2026.
