The Tennessee Senate has approved a shocking law, SB 1325, with a notable margin of 26-5. This law allows teachers to carry concealed weapons in schools and has caused a lot of controversy.

The SB 1325 law allows certain teachers to carry concealed weapons within K-12 schools. With the increase in the rate of school shootings, the state decided to implement this new law. However, many people are concerned about the law, saying it might not be the best for the school environment as it doesn’t promote safety and sanctuary for the children.

This law comes as the state of Tennessee marks a very sad anniversary. It is a year after the devastating school shooting that happened at The Covenant School. It claimed the lives of six people, including some little children.
Therefore, this law aims to strengthen school security. However, it has been met with a fiery debate amongst parents and other residents.

Around 200 activists rallied against the bill at the Capitol in Nashville, and their protests echoed loudly through the halls. The atmosphere in the building was thick, and tensions kept rising. Security personnel had to escort some people who cried, “Kill the bill, not the kids!” They continued their chants, trying to change the minds of those who could hear them.

Legislators and citizens have varying opinions on this law. The debate runs deep as many people were debating on the SB 1325 legislation. Critics also have different thoughts on it. Senator Raumesh Akbari said that it is a result of contrast in values, saying, “A teacher is not allowed to put a rainbow flag on her desk, but she’s allowed to carry a gun in this state.”

Senator Paul Bailey is one of the bill’s architects. Amidst the uproar at the Capitol, he stepped forward and tried to clarify its essence. He mentioned that there is a “lot of misinformation” regarding the law, and it “does not require any teacher in this state to carry a gun while working,” contrary to what other people believe.

The debate quickly turned personal as people brought up their own concerns regarding the issue. Senator London Lamar, who was cradling her infant son, voiced her deep disapproval of this law. She urged them to use “common sense” and added, “We are literally talking about arming educators, who took an oath to teach our kids writing and arithmetic … and we’re now turning them into law enforcement agents.”

Another Senator, Ken Yager, explained why he was supporting the new law. He said that the remote communities had unique predicaments that they were facing. In addition, they also face minimal law enforcement coverage and help. Therefore, this bill will offer a huge shield for those schools whose isolation makes them a big target.

Despite the many protests and disagreements by lawmakers, the Senate passed the bill. When the verdict came in, there was a huge wave of opposition that followed immediately. The people present chanted, “Vote them out,” as their voices echoed in the building. They continued to voice their disapproval, showing how strong their opposition was.

The Daily Mail reports that SB 1325 now has to pass the Tennessee General Assembly as it already got the green light from the Senate. Therefore, the fate of the legislation currently hangs in the balance. The lawmakers, parents, educators, and residents are anticipating their decision as it will have a significant impact on the future of schools in the state.

If they pass this bill into law, Tennessee will be the 34th state that allows school personnel to carry concealed weapons. Despite the uproar from people, it is not an unusual law as many other states have implemented it several years ago. However, passing this law requires a delicate process of training and clearances, to promote safety in the workplace.

The road to responsibility for the teachers is not an easy one. They would have to obtain a specialized permit, undergo hours of police training tailored for schools, a background check, and a psychological evaluation. These steps make sure they are not only carrying weapons but have the right mind, judgement and skills that are required to use them responsibly.

This bill also has some limitations to it. It does not allow the teachers to carry the weapons in the open “or in any other manner in which the handgun is visible to ordinary observation.” Furthermore, they are not allowed to carry firearms in “stadiums, gymnasiums, or auditoriums when school-sponsored events are in progress.” But the question remains, will this make schools safer in the future?