NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - BREAKING UPDATE: Gov. Bill Lee has signed the bill that allows teachers to arm themselves in schools. It goes into effect immediately. Several school districts have said they will not allow their teachers to carry weapons in schools. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
PREVIOUS: Gov. Bill Lee said he would sign a bill to arm teachers in Tennessee.
Lee made the announcement during a press conference following the end of the House and Senate for the legislative session.
The bill passed the House on Tuesday after passing the Senate last week.
There has been a lot of debate on both sides about whether teachers should be armed.
Lee said Thursday he thinks it will keep kids safer at school.
“I do plan on signing the legislation, and I think we need to be really clear about what this does,” Lee said. “What’s important to me is that we give districts tools and the option to use the tool that will keep their children safe in their schools.”
The bill would require teachers to go through 40 hours of gun training, a background check, a psychological evaluation and approval of school leaders and police.
Several school systems, including Metro Nashville, Sumner, Williamson and Rutherford counties, have said they would not allow to teachers to be armed.
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