(NewsNation) — Tennessee House Republicans passed a bill Tuesday that would allow some teachers and staff to carry concealed handguns on public school grounds.
Parents and other teachers wouldn’t know who is armed. The bill would be Tennessee’s largest expansion of gun access since the March 27, 2023, shooting that killed six people at The Covenant School.
If it is signed into law, Tennessee will join about half of the nation’s states in allowing teachers or other employees with concealed carry permits to carry guns on school property in some way, according to the gun control advocacy group Giffords Law Center.
J.C. Bowman, executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, joined “NewsNation Now” and called the measure “unsafe.”
What happened?
Lawmakers voted 68-28 in favor of the bill. It now heads to Republican Gov. Bill Lee for consideration.
Republicans rejected a series of Democratic amendments, including parental consent requirements, notification when someone is armed and the school district assuming civil liability for any injury, damage or death due to staff carrying guns, the Associated Press reported.
What do opponents say?
Those opposed to the bill say it lacks protocols and could put schools and their workers at risk.
“Teachers are not equipped to handle live fire,” Bowman said. “Most of these (gunmen) are using AR-15s or other weapons … it just is going to be unsafe.”
What do proponents say?
Supporters of the effort, such as GOP state Sen. Paul Bailey, who sponsored the bill, argue it’s vital for rural areas with limited law enforcement and longer response times.
“Not all schools and school systems could afford a school resource officer,” Bailey said. “This was just another line of defense that … would be possible for schools to use, especially in the rural areas.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.