The Tennessee legislature passed a bill on Tuesday that will allow teachers to carry concealed guns on school grounds, the idea being that they can protect students and themselves from mass shooters. The bill passed in a 68 to 28 vote.
Protesters filled the gallery at the state house, perhaps some of the same ones who protested for trans rights after trans school shooter Audrey Hale massacred three children and three staff members at the Covenant School just one year ago. Protests have been the norm for this bill, and some students skipped school to protest.
Teachers who opt to carry guns in school would have to be approved, and their identities would only be known to administration. Parents would not be told if their children’s teacher was carrying a firearm in class.
To take part in the program, teachers would have to have gun permits as well as undergo background and mental health checks. They would also be required to take 40 hours of training to make sure they were up to speed.
The idea behind the legislation is to deter school shooters and put a trained, armed person in a position to protect students and staff from would-be killers. Democrats would say that controlling guns is the answer.
In the event that something went wrong, only the teacher who carried the gun would be liable. School districts and local law enforcement would not be liable in the event of an accidental or intentional shooting carried out by an armed teacher.
