Tennessee’s GOP-led Senate has passed a bill allowing teachers to be armed on school grounds, despite strong opposition from families of Covenant School shooting victims. The bill would permit teachers to obtain concealed carry permits without informing parents or colleagues. Supporters believe arming teachers could deter potential shooters and act as substitutes for resource officers.
Protests from hundreds advocating for stricter gun laws interrupted discussions on the bill, with some protesters forcibly removed from the Senate chamber. Among them were family members of victims of a shooting at The Covenant School last year. The bill requires teachers seeking to carry guns to undergo 40 hours of training, pass a background check, and get permission from their school’s principal and local police.
Opponents argue that arming teachers does not make schools safer, and the required training is insufficient. State Sen. Jeff Yarbro, a Democrat, expressed concerns that teachers are being trained to handle combat situations with just a week of training. The companion legislation in the Tennessee House has not seen movement, but Republican speaker Cameron Sexton supports the bill.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Ryan Williams, believes arming teachers could enhance school safety, especially in rural areas with limited resources. The debate over arming teachers in schools is ongoing, with proponents and critics voicing conflicting opinions on the effectiveness and implications of such measures.
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