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Wlaf1450
By SUSAN SHARP
CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN. (WLAF)- A controversial new law allowing teachers to carry a concealed handgun on school property will not affect Campbell County Schools.
“That is not an added responsibility that our teachers need to take on,†said Campbell County Director of Schools Jennifer Fields.
Last week, HB 1202 became law, but it is not a blanket policy for school systems across the state.
In order for a teacher to carry a concealed weapon on school property, the local board of education, the principal and law enforcement have to agree, according to State Representative Dennis Powers. This stipulation is just the first of many to be met before a teacher can bring a gun onto school property.
“Nothing in our schools is going to change,†Fields said. The Campbell County system has worked “closely†with local law enforcement to “create a safe environment,†she said.
With a safety plan approved by Homeland Security and School Resource Officers (SROs) in every school, Fields said leaving school safety “in the hands of law enforcement†is what the county will do.
“I am confident in our SROs. They do an exceptional job,†she said.
Powers, who voted in favor of the bill, said that while local schools, as well as many schools across the state have SROs, there are more than 5,000 SRO openings statewide. Most of these are in rural, isolated areas making them a “target.â€
Allowing teachers to take up arms in these rural pockets will “at least serve as a “deterrent,†Powers said.
Along with needing to have an agreement for a teacher to a carry a concealed weapon, the law limits the type of handgun to be carried. It also adds that, in addition to the initial 40 hours of basic training in school policing, the faculty or staff member must complete a minimum of 40 hours of POST commission-approved training that is specific to school policing each year in order to retain the authorization, and this law does not allow a student to carry a concealed weapon even if the student is a school employee.
For more information on the law CLICK HERE.
“We have a great set up here,†Powers said adding that other systems aren’t as fortunate. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 4/29/2024-6AM)
What a shame, teachers should be armed and know one should know which ones are armed. We also need tho go back to the days when there were consequences for your actions.
Stupid auto correct, should read no one should know which ones are armed.
Does Tennessee have the constitutional carry law?
I am glad teachers in this county aren’t going to be “carrying”. Looking at the state grade card the county received, they need to try focusing on teaching. Let the police do the “policing”.
I would love to see the teachers that want to carry, be allowed to do so, thereby providing an additional layer of protection for our children. I’m very thankful that we have SRO’s and a very responsive police force. However, in those seconds and minutes required for a police response, a voluntarily trained and armed teacher could save many lives.