US: Tennessee lawmakers pass bill to allow armed teachers
In the United States, Tennessee legislators have approved a controversial bill that would permit educators and school staff to carry concealed firearms on school property. This decision follows a tragic shooting at a private elementary school in Nashville last year, which killed three children and three adults. The bill, passed by the Tennessee House with a 68-28 vote, is now awaiting final approval from Republican Governor Bill Lee.
Why does this story matter?
The bill has re-ignited the debate regarding arming educators, as mass shootings occur not only in American classrooms but also at parades, festivals, houses of worship, and elsewhere. According to the Gun Violence Archive, gun violence is the leading killer of children in the US, with 436 deaths this year alone. Currently, approximately half of all states in the US allow teachers and other school staff to carry guns on school grounds.
Bill mandates that information about armed staff members be restricted
Under the bill, parents would not necessarily know or be alerted if their child's teacher was armed. Anyone who wants to carry a concealed firearm in school must first undergo at least 40 hours of training in school policing and complete a background check. Individuals are responsible for the cost of training as well as the firearm. Furthermore, they must obtain an expanded carry permit and pass a psychological examination administered by a Tennessee-licensed health care provider.
Protests against the bill's approval led to galleries being cleared
The bill's approval sparked protests, with demonstrators accusing Tennessee House Republicans of having "blood on your hands." It is now up to Governor Lee to decide whether the bill will become law or veto it. Lee's veto is unlikely, as it would be his first, and lawmakers would only need a simple majority of each chamber's members to override it.
