Tennessee State Legislature Passes Bill To Allow Teachers To Carry Firearms

Those who would carry firearms would have to go through mental health and criminal background examinations.

The Tennessee state House passed a bill Tuesday.

The legislation would allow some trained teachers and school staff to carry handguns in their classrooms without informing parents.

The teachers would first need approval from their school’s principal, the head of the appropriate local law enforcement agency and the directors of the school’s designated school district.

Those who would carry firearms would have to go through mental health and criminal background examinations. Teachers would also need to get training in school policing to retain the authorization.

The bill passed 68-28 in the state House and previously passed 26-5 in the Senate. It now heads to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for signature.