In an audacious move that has reverberated throughout the state, Tennessee lawmakers have granted teachers the right to bear arms in schools. A Republican-backed bill, HB1202 / SB1325, was passed, allowing educators to carry firearms in Tennessee educational institutions.
The decision to arm teachers has ignited a firestorm of controversy. This law was passed in the Senate earlier this month, triggering strong reactions from educators, students, parents of Covenant School students, and Democratic representatives. The bill was heavily debated on the House floor before the decisive vote on Tuesday.
The bill, described as “dangerous” by its opponents, is said to have the potential to cause more disorder in the event of an active shooter situation. Despite the intense opposition, the legislation was passed with 68 votes in favor and 28 against. It now awaits Governor Bill Lee’s signature.
“This bill is morally insane,” asserted Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville. “Republicans continue to hold our state hostage. God have mercy on you that you do not hear the pain of these mothers saying to protect kids, not guns.”
The controversial bill was sponsored by Sen. Paul Bailey (R-Sparta). It allows all staff and faculty to bear arms in schools at their discretion, but mandates that they undergo more than 40 hours of training and pass a psychological evaluation.
Republican Rep. Ryan Williams, another sponsor of the bill, emphasized that the standards for allowing teachers to carry firearms in Tennessee schools would be “very high.” Williams referred to it as a “100% permissive” bill that leaves the decision up to school districts. He highlighted that local law enforcement and school administrators must reach an agreement before teachers can carry a weapon on campus. This law, he believes, would act as a “deterrent.”
“The components of this bill are not about an SRO. It’s to create a deterrent that someone will walk by everyday and see there’s somebody on campus carrying besides an SRO.” -Chairman Williams
The vote also saw an amendment to the bill, which would require handguns to be locked up on campus, being voted down. Rep. Jason Powell, D-Nashville, voiced his strong disapproval, saying that the law “makes me sick to my stomach.”
“This is dangerous,” Powell said. “It’s going to have dangerous impacts all around. Think about law enforcement. It’s going to delay responses. It’s going to put law enforcement in danger. How will they know who’s the assailant and who’s the teacher with the gun?”
In the lead-up to Tuesday’s vote, several walkouts were held by Nashville students, who pleaded with legislators to pass common-sense gun laws rather than introducing firearms into classrooms.
Rep. Bo Mitchell, D-Nashville, echoed these sentiments.
“This is, again, I can’t even believe this is the first major piece of gun legislation that we’ve addressed since the Covenant tragedy,” Mitchell said. “Just think about that. This is our reaction to teachers and children being murdered in a school. Our reaction is to throw more guns at it. What’s wrong with us?”
Last week, a letter penned by a Covenant School teacher was read aloud during a press conference against HB1202. The teacher recalled the terrifying moments from the morning of March 27, 2023, when she and a dozen others, including children as young as three years old, were stuffed into a dark closet.
The teacher stated that she “cannot imagine” having to pull out a gun in such a moment of terror.
“As I reflect on this time, I simply cannot imagine how I could have pulled out a gun with 10 children underfoot and in my arms. I think of all the terrible things that could have gone wrong had I had a gun. My job that day, in the face of such terror, was not to take down a killer, who was carrying multiple firearms – including a military-style assault rifle. My job was to move my students to safety, secure the area, keep them calm so they would not cry or make a loud noise, comfort them, and reassure myself that trained law enforcement would do their job at taking out the threat as soon as possible.”
This decision by Tennessee lawmakers marks a significant shift in the ongoing debate about gun control in the United States. Whether this move will serve as a deterrent, as its proponents argue, or escalate violence, as its critics fear, remains to be seen.
