People display signs in the gallery opposing a bill that would permit some teachers to be armed in schools during a legislative session in the House chamber on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Chaos erupted at the Tennessee State House on Tuesday after the legislature passed a controversial bill allowing educators and school staff to carry concealed firearms on school grounds without informing parents. Students and other demonstrators staged a “die in” and chanted “blood on your hands” and “fascism” in the gallery, while state troopers removed parents from the room. At least one state lawmaker claimed he was “physically pushed” by a colleague.
The Republican-dominated legislature voted 68-28 to pass S.B. 1325, with four Republicans and all Democrats opposing the measure. If the bill becomes law, it would mandate training and permission from school authorities for those carrying weapons on campus, but it would not require notifying parents or other school staff.
People participate in a die-in during a protest against a bill allowing some teachers to be armed in schools on the House floor during a legislative session on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
The legislation follows the most deadly mass shooting in Tennessee’s history , which resulted in the deaths of three students and three staff members at an elementary school in Nashville over a year ago.
Tennessee’s current gun regulations restrict the possession of firearms on school premises to law enforcement officers employed at schools or to school resource officers. The bill significantly extends this to include school staff members with an enhanced handgun carry permit and approval from the school’s principal, district director, and local law enforcement agencies. It stipulates that staff members complete 40 hours of school policing training, undergo a background check, submit fingerprints to state and federal authorities, and provide a psychological certification from a licensed health provider. The bill restricts the permit such that guns cannot be carried into auditoriums, stadiums, disciplinary meetings, tenure meetings, or into a clinic.
It also protects law enforcement agencies from financial claims that arise from a faculty or staff member’s misuse of a handgun authorized by the bill.
After the bill passed on Tuesday, disorder broke out in the gallery of the legislative chamber. Protesters chanted “blood on your hands.” Ultimately, state troopers cleared the gallery filled with parents. At the same time, Rep. Justin Jones, a Democrat representing Nashville, began recording the incident on his cellphone, which is prohibited by House rules. Jones later shared a video in which he explained that after he refused to stop filming, he was ruled out of order and consequently, he will not be allowed to speak on the House floor for two days.
Jones pointed out in his video that he was the only person reprimanded for recording, although several Republican lawmakers were also recording the incident. Jones also stated that a fellow legislator, Chris Todd, a Republican, “physically pushed” him in full view of the entire chamber.
“This is how it appears to work with people who are abusing their power,” Jones said. “This is what fascism looks like, and it’s a sad day for Tennessee.”
The bill will go to Republican Gov. Bill Lee for approval next.
At least 22 states currently permit school staff to have hidden firearms on campus, but with different requirements. Giffords Law Center, the research group led by former Democratic congresswoman and mass shooting victim Gabrielle Giffords, has opposed measures that arm teachers in schools as “dangerous and counter productive.”