Tennessee House Republicans recently passed a bill allowing some teachers and staff to carry concealed handguns on public school grounds, despite opposition from members of the public and four House Republicans. The bill would also prevent parents and other teachers from knowing who is armed, requiring approval from school administrators, police, and the school district. Democratic lawmakers attempted to introduce several amendments, including parental consent requirements and notification when someone is armed, but these were rejected by Republicans. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Ryan Williams, argued that allowing staff to carry guns would create a deterrent to potential shooters, citing challenges related to shootings across the state.
The controversial bill comes in response to the shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, where three children and three adults were killed by a shooter in March 2023. Despite calls for significant gun control measures following the tragedy, Tennessee lawmakers have largely resisted such efforts. The bill passed on Tuesday requires workers who wish to carry handguns to have a handgun carry permit, written authorization from the school’s principal and local law enforcement, pass a background check, and undergo 40 hours of handgun training. They would not be allowed to carry guns at certain school events. While it remains unclear if any school districts would take advantage of the law if it is enacted, about half of U.S. states allow teachers or staff with concealed carry permits to carry guns on school property.
Republican lawmakers in Tennessee have been consistently relaxing gun laws in recent years, including a 2021 permit-less carry law that allowed residents 21 and older to carry handguns in public without a permit. The law was later expanded to include 18- to 20-year-olds. In the wake of the shooting at The Covenant School last year, lawmakers passed a law providing protections against lawsuits involving gun and ammunition dealers, manufacturers, and sellers. They have also approved measures allowing private schools with pre-kindergarten classes to have guns on campus, and are considering bills that would involuntarily commit certain criminal defendants for inpatient treatment and remove the gun rights of juveniles deemed delinquent for specific offenses until the age of 25.
Opponents of the bill argue that it places an unnecessary burden on educators and could potentially lead to unintended consequences. Many Democrats have criticized Republican lawmakers for prioritizing the interests of the gun industry over public safety. Despite the emotional testimony shared by parents of Covenant students about the lasting impacts of the shooting, Tennessee legislators have been steadfast in their resistance to significant gun control measures. With Gov. Bill Lee expected to sign the bill into law, the state is poised to see its most significant expansion of gun access since the shooting at The Covenant School. The political divide over gun rights and school safety continues to be a contentious issue in Tennessee and across the country.
