Tennessee Passes Bill to Allow Teachers to Carry Concealed Handguns
New York TimesMAY 2024
Tenn. Passes Bill Allowing Teachers to Carry Guns
Image copyright: Jon Cherry/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images (Aug. 2023)
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Republicans have passed this dangerous bill despite polling showing most US teachers think more guns in schools will make their workplaces less safe. In the wake of The Convenant School tragedy, Tenessee residents were looking for legislation to make kids safer, not a law that would increase firearms in schools. If this leads to yet another tragedy, Republicans will have blood on their hands.
Republican narrative
This bill will make kids in school safer, and Democrats and other opponents are misrepresenting the reforms being made. Law enforcement officers and private security guards are already allowed to carry guns in schools, so this bill expands who can be armed. At the same time, the additional armed personnel will be trained and have their backgrounds checked — meaning there will be more good guys with guns if a bad guy with a gun enters a school.