A bill allowing teachers to carry handguns on school grounds has been passed in the US state of Tennessee. This bill was proposed to ensure the safety of teachers and students after a series of school shootings, but there are also concerns that it could lead to accidental shootings.
According to Reuters on the 23rd (local time), the Tennessee House of Representatives approved a bill that would allow teachers to carry guns on school grounds with 68 votes in favor and 28 against. Since it was already approved by the Senate earlier this month, it will go into effect once Republican Governor Bill Lee signs it.
However, just because the bill is passed, that does not mean that all teachers will be able to own guns on school grounds. After completing a background check and completing 40 hours of training, you must obtain permission and written permission from the school principal and local law enforcement officials. Costs of completing training and purchasing firearms are the responsibility of the individual. In addition, firearms cannot be brought into school events that are held in large places where many people gather, such as playgrounds, gymnasiums and auditoriums. There is also a bylaw that prohibits schools from revealing the identity of staff with firearms to parents or other teachers.
The proposal for this bill follows a series of school shooting incidents in the United States. In Tennessee, three children and three staff members were killed in a shooting incident at Covenant School, a private Christian primary school in Nashville, which took place last March. The culprit at the time was a 28-year-old female graduate student who was killed in a shootout with police.
Last March, a shooter at a private elementary school in Nashville was seen walking around the school holding a rifle. / Reuters Yonhap News
Republicans and conservatives who actively supported the bill believed that armed teachers would have the effect of deterring “potential mass shooters.” “Republican Representative Ryan Williams, who introduced the bill, said, “The entire state is experiencing problems as a result of shooting events,” and “This bill is intended to ensure deterrence. “
On the other hand, some say that guns on campus can encourage criminals and lead to accidental shootings. “This is a terrible day for Tennessee, our children, our teachers and our communities,” wrote Democratic state representative Justin Pearson on social media “Instead of protecting our children, they have regressed to protect their guns.”
Sean Breist, spokesman for Metro Nashville Public Schools, also said, “We believe it is best and safest for only authorized law enforcement officers to carry firearms on school grounds.”
There is also a lot of opposition from parents. A mother at the Charter School submitted a petition with 5,300 signatures on the 22nd, asking lawmakers to withdraw the bill. Melissa Alexander, one of the parents who signed the petition, said, “Please listen to the stories of the parents who survived the shooting incident,” saying, “The children survived at the time thanks to the teacher who ‘ the children went unconscious without prompting. the shooting “Imagine what would have happened if the teacher had confronted the shooter with more firepower,” he said.
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2024-04-24 05:59:00
