Amidst a great deal of controversy and objection from the liberal left, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a law allowing school faculty to be armed after passing rigorous background checks and training requirements.
As we previously reported, HB 1202/SB 1321 passed the House And Senate respectively earlier in the month.
“I think we need to be really clear about what the law does -– districts have the right to choose.” Lee said during a news conference last Thursday after the General Assembly’s legislative session. “What’s important to me is that we give districts tools and the option to use a tool that will keep their children safe in their schools,” he added.
Under the bill, a faculty member who wishes to be armed must do the following:
- Get an enhanced carry permit (an 8 hour class, with use of force training and a shooting qualification)
- 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 bill bars disclosing which employees are carrying guns beyond school administrators and police, including to students’ parents and even other teachers. This is likely an attempt to emulate the element of surprise retained by those who conceal carry, keeping those with ill intent from knowing who is armed.
The bill is in response to the shooting and murder spree one year ago by trans-activist, Audrey Hale, who killed three adults and three children at the Covenant school in Nashville.
The liberal left contends that having armed teachers puts children in danger.
According to Newsweek, Tennessee is now in the majority of states that allow qualified faculty and teachers to be armed.
