NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) -- In a 26-5 vote, the Tennessee Senate passed a bill Tuesday that would allow faculty or staff members of a school to carry a concealed handgun on school grounds under certain conditions.
The bill is controversial and sparking concern, especially among community members impacted by the deadly Covenant School shooting.
Mary Joyce, a Covenant School mother, said, to her, the bill is "extremely reckless" and not effective as written.
"I think the bill could work in some schools, but not as written," said Joyce.
One of her biggest concerns is that nobody will know who is carrying a handgun.
Joyce said she's heard from a handful of teachers who are uneasy about the additional responsibility, uncertainty, and risks created by concealed carry. In addition, if a teacher is carrying, she said they will likely spring into action during an emergency, leaving their students alone in the chaos.
"It would leave them completely exposed and I, frankly, think that is extremely irresponsible of our legislators to not consider real-world scenarios when arming teachers and what they will actually face in the light of danger," said Joyce.
According to Everytown Research and Policy, 34 states allow teachers to carry firearms in classrooms as of 2023.
Supporters of the effort -- including state Sen. Paul Bailey (R-Sparta), 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, and this was just another line of defense that...would be possible for schools to use, especially in the rural areas,” Bailey said in an interview with News 2's sister station, NewsNation.
The bill is scheduled to move through the Tennessee House next week.
from WKRN News 2 https://ift.tt/JfvgNai
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