People hold signs in the gallery against a bill that would allow some teachers to be armed in schools during a legislative session in the House chamber Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Pandemonium broke out at the Tennessee State House Tuesday after the legislature passed a controversial bill that would allow teachers and school staff to carry concealed handguns on school grounds without parents being notified. Students and other protesters held a “die in” and chanted “blood on your hands” and “fascism” in the gallery, state troopers cleared parents from the room, and at least one state lawmaker said he was “physically shoved” by one of his colleagues.
The Republican-dominated lawmaking body voted 68-28 to adopt S.B. 1325, with four Republicans and all Democrats opposing the bill. If the measure becomes law, it would require those carrying guns on campus to undergo training and have permission from school officials, but it would not require that parents or other school employees be notified.