Tennessee House Republicans faced backlash from protesters on Tuesday after passing a controversial bill that would allow some teachers and staff to carry concealed handguns on public school grounds. The bill, which also prohibits parents and other teachers from knowing who is armed, was approved in a 68-28 vote and is now awaiting Republican Gov. Bill Lee’s signature.
The decision to expand gun access in the state comes in the wake of last year’s deadly shooting at a private elementary school in Nashville. Members of the public who oppose the bill expressed their outrage by chanting “Blood on your hands” at lawmakers, leading to House Speaker Cameron Sexton ordering the galleries to be cleared.
The bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Ryan Williams, defended the measure as a deterrent to potential threats, citing previous challenges related to school shootings across the state. However, Democrats proposed amendments such as parental consent requirements and notification when someone is armed, all of which were rejected by Republicans.
Critics of the bill, including Democratic state Rep. Justin Jones, accused their Republican colleagues of prioritizing the interests of the gun industry over the safety of students. Despite the controversy, the bill is expected to become law, as a veto by Gov. Lee is unlikely to be upheld by a simple majority vote in the legislature.
The debate over gun control in Tennessee has intensified following the tragic shooting at The Covenant School in 2023, where six individuals lost their lives. While some school districts may choose to implement the new law, others, like Metro Nashville Public Schools, maintain that only active-duty law enforcement should carry weapons on campus for the safety of students.