NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Senate has passed a bill that would prohibit parents in Tennessee from being informed about whether their child’s teacher is carrying a gun. The bill stipulates that school employees must undergo yearly background checks, psychological evaluations, and 40 hours of training to carry a concealed handgun.
They would also have to get the approval of a superintendent, principal, and chief of police or law enforcement agency.
The shouts that came after Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally ordered everyone to clear the balcony Tuesday afternoon came after lawmakers unveiled more details about the bill to arm school employees.
“Are parents notified if a teacher in their child’s school is carrying a weapon,” asked Senator Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) on Tuesday during the Senate floor session.
“That information is kept confidential,” said Senator Paul Bailey (R-Sparta), the bill’s sponsor.
He said three people would know who has a gun in a school.
“The director of schools, principal and the chief of the appropriate law enforcement agency are the only ones notified of those permitted to carry,” explained Sen. Bailey.
He said it’s a short list so intruders don’t debunk the plan.
“If the first person that you encounter is the authorized faculty or staff member that is able to carry, then it also takes away that person’s ability to maybe want to go into that school,” Bailey said.
“Even though it’s something that should not be disclosed I think parents would still be trying to find that out,” said Linda Johnson, a Nashville mom and former teacher.
She said she understands where Bailey stands, however, as a former educator, she fears what this could do to them.
“I do think that we will lose some of our best teachers because of this,” Johnson said.
While many in the Senate gallery on Tuesday did not believe confidentiality is the way to go with the legislation, Senator Bailey said he spoke with the right sources to make sure this bill is thought out.
“I have worked with the Department of Safety, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association, and Tennessee Chiefs of Police Association on this legislation and all are neutral, and all have weighed in,” Bailey said.
WSMV4′s Marissa Sulek spoke with Senator Bailey on Wednesday and found out the following:
1.) School Resource Officers (SROs) would also know who is carrying a gun in a school
2.) Substitute teachers or part-time employees cannot participate
3.) The handgun must be concealed or properly stored to prevent thefts
4.) The liability would be on the staff member, not the district or school if it’s used
“It’s probably not going to be Mrs. Smith that it’s the English teacher in the classroom that is going to be seeking this authorization,” Bailey said. “In my concept, it’s maybe going to be a retired law enforcement officer that has maybe lost their post certification.”
The bill is expected to be on the House floor next week.
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