Tennessee Senate Passes Bill Allowing Teachers to Carry Concealed Guns, Tennessee State Capitol, Nashville, TN, USA - 09 Apr 2024

Students protest SB 1325 the gallery of the Tennessee State Senate Chamber during session. Tennessee State Capitol. Nashville, TN. 4/9/24. Tennessee Senate Passes Bill Allowing Teachers to Carry Concealed Guns: Amid fierce opposition from Senate Democrats and vocal protests from the gallery, which resulted in an emotional clearing of the audience from the gallery, SB 1325, sponsored by State Senator Paul Bailey (R-Sparta), was passed by the TN Senate GOP today by a vote of 26 to 5 along party lines to allow K-12 teachers and school staff to carry concealed handguns on school grounds. After multiple warnings by TN LT. Governor Randy McNally for protesters to remain quiet in the gallery during debate over the bill, McNally ordered the gallery cleared, resulting in viewing the vote on TVs outside the chamber doors. SB 1325 states: "Teachers, Principals and School Personnel - As introduced, authorizes a faculty or staff member of a school to carry a concealed handgun on school grounds subject to certain conditions, including obtaining an enhanced handgun carry permit and completing annual training."