TN Senate passes ‘neutered’ teacher arming bill

A proposal that started out allowing teachers to be trained to carry weapons is now restrict only to prior law enforcement officers. Image courtesy Tactical Self Defense

The Tennessee Senate has signed off on a plan to allow retired police officers who are teachers to carry a gun in class. But several Republican lawmakers objected, saying the proposal doesn’t go far enough.

“We’ve neutered it about as much as it could be neutered,” said Sen. Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville), who failed to get support for his broader bill allowing almost any teacher go armed.

Most of the chamber’s Democrats voted against the proposal, arguing the state should just pay for fully-trained safety officers.

Germantown Republican Brian Kelsey voted with them.

“If we’re truly concerned about safety in our schools, then we’re going to have to suck it up and pay for it,” he said.

Kelsey says the “middle ground” of the approved bill pleases no one.

Retired law enforcement would be allowed to carry a gun if they get additional school safety training. Roughly 100 current teachers would qualify. They would have to get permission from their superintendent as well as their principal, though it would still be kept secret from parents which teachers have permission to be armed.

The compromise is supported by Governor Bill Haslam, law enforcement and even the Tennessee Education Association.

“If that many people can agree on this, it can’t be all bad,” said Sen. Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Fields), the legislation’s sponsor.

The House passed the bill earlier this week.