Tennessee Lawmakers Pass Bill Allowing Teachers And Faculty Members To Carry Concealed Weapons At School!

Cousins! Tennessee state legislators have officially passed a bill allowing teachers and staff members to be armed while at school!

According to CNN guidelines have been presented within the newly passed bill. Officials have authorized on-site staff members to carry a concealed handgun while on the premises as long as the following conditions are met:

• Get an enhanced carry permit

• Get written authorization from the superintendent, principal and the chief of the appropriate law enforcement agency

• Complete 40 hours of basic training in school policing and 40 hours of Peace Officer’s Standards and Training commission-approved training that is specific to school policing each year at the educator’s expense

• Complete a background check

• Undergo a psychological exam conducted by a Tennessee-licensed health care provider

The newly passed bill has received much speculation after the room irrupted with people chanting “Blood on your hands” following the Tennessee lawmaker’s decision.

Sources state that following the passing of the controversial bill, social media users online have begun to debate whether or not having armed educators will serve as a solution to the issue of mass shootings in America.

Gun violence currently serves as the leading cause of death for children in the United States. Sadly, nearly 500 children under the age of 18 have fallen victim to gun violence in 2024, according to reports collected data from the Gun Violence Archive.

As of right now, thirty-four states have banned teachers and staff members from carrying concealed weapons in grade schools K-12.

Within the newly issued bill, it has been stated that parents wouldn’t be informed that their child’s teacher is armed.

“A teacher is not allowed to put a rainbow flag on her desk, but she’s allowed to carry a gun in this state,” Democratic state Sen. Raumesh Akbari said.

Bill co-sponsor Republican state Sen. Paul Bailey says there is “a lot of misinformation” regarding the legislation, it “does not require any teacher in this state to carry a gun while working.”

“This bill is completely permissive,” he confirmed. “It simply gives a faculty or staff member the option.”

It has been made clear that the bill does not, allow weapons to be carried openly “or in any other manner in which the handgun is visible to ordinary observation,” and does not allow handguns to be carried in “stadiums, gymnasiums, or auditoriums when school-sponsored events are in progress,” nor in meetings where tenure or disciplinary matters are being discussed, reports CNN.