April 12th 2024.
The Tennessee state Senate, which is currently controlled by the GOP, recently passed a new legislation that would allow teachers and staff in K-12 public schools to carry concealed handguns on school grounds. This decision was met with protests from concerned citizens on April 9th, who could be heard chanting phrases like "No more silence, end gun violence" and "Kill the bill, not the kids."
The passing of Senate Bill 1325, with a vote of 26-5, comes almost a year after a tragic mass shooting at The Covenant School, where three 9-year-old children and three staff members lost their lives. As the bill now heads to the state House for an official vote, it has already received criticism from anti-gun advocates and Democratic lawmakers. Organizations such as Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both of which have chapters in Tennessee, have released a statement condemning the legislation.
Linda McFadyen-Ketchum, a volunteer for one of these organizations, believes that the voices of Tennessee law enforcement, teachers, and superintendents should be heard and taken into consideration. She also stresses the importance of listening to the concerns of Tennesseans, who worry about the safety of their children as they go to school each day.
If signed by Republican Governor Bill Lee, SB 1325 would prevent employees from disclosing whether or not they have a concealed firearm to parents or other teachers. The bill also outlines specific requirements that school employees must meet in order to be allowed to carry a weapon on school premises. This includes having an enhanced carry permit, being authorized by the school's director, principal, and local law enforcement, and completing 40 hours of basic training in school policing. Additionally, educators would be required to undergo a background check, a psychological exam, and attend annual training sessions at their own expense.
One of the major concerns surrounding this bill is the fact that parents would not be notified if their child's teacher is armed. Senator London Lamar believes that this puts her child, and other students, at risk. She passionately expressed her opposition to the bill, stating that "teachers don't want it, nobody wants it."
Senator Raumesh Akbari also spoke out against the bill, pointing out the irony of the state's laws. "A teacher is not allowed to put a rainbow flag on her desk, but she's allowed to carry a gun in this state," she argued on the senate floor before voting against the bill.
On the other hand, supporters of the bill, such as Republican Senator Ken Yager, believe that it will benefit some of the more rural counties in Tennessee. Yager, who recognizes the emotional nature of this topic, believes that this legislation will help to improve response times in the event of a school shooting.
As the issue of arming educators continues to be a hot topic, mass shootings continue to occur in schools, as well as other public places like parades and places of worship. Just one day after the Muslim community ended their holy month of Ramadan, three people were shot in a park in Philadelphia.
Sadly, in 2021 alone, over 300 children under the age of 18 have lost their lives due to gun violence, making it the leading cause of death among youth in the United States. This statistic serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of addressing this issue and finding effective solutions to protect our children and communities.
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