NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – As a bill to arm Tennessee teachers heads to the governor’s desk to be signed, Metro Nashville Public Schools says it has no intentions of changing its school weapons policies.
HB1202/SB1325, if signed by Gov. Bill Lee, would allow people who work at schools to carry concealed guns on school property. Those who choose to do so must pass certain requirements first, including 40 hours of training and a background check. It was drafted as a way to help protect schools in rural counties that don’t have school resource officers or security.
But Metro Nashville Public Schools, alongside the Metro Nashville Police Department, officials believe it’s best if only commissioned law enforcement officers protect schools, rather than put guns in the hands of teachers.
“We have a strong relationship with the Metro Nashville Police Department and agree that it is safest for only approved active-duty law enforcement officers to carry weapons on campus,” said MNPS spokesman Sean Braisted. “This has been our consistent practice at MNPS, and we have no intention of changing it.”
The bill now heads to Gov. Lee’s desk after passing both the Tennessee House and Senate but not without protest.
Chaos broke out at the Tennessee Capitol after the bill was passed by the Senate on Tuesday, with protests demanding lawmakers reverse action. This came after weeks of resistance by Tennesseans who believe arming teachers would do more harm than good.
Protestors shouted “vote them out” in the capitol’s rotunda Tuesday afternoon in reference to the lawmakers who passed the bill.
Wilson, Williamson and Rutherford County Schools have not made a decision yet.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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