From NewsChannel 9: The slew of gun control legislation introduced at the Tennessee State Capitol, since the mass shooting at The Covenant School.
From NewsChannel 9: The slew of gun control legislation introduced at the Tennessee State Capitol, since the mass shooting at The Covenant School.
House Democrats tell FOX 17 News some of these bills to strengthen gun laws will be the prime focus, this week and as the clock is ticking for this legislative session to potentially close very soon.
After six lives were taken by a shooter at The Covenant School, the push for gun laws from both sides of the isle has reignited at the capital.
“It’s challenged every Tennessean. The tragedy, the struggle, my family included, everyone’s family, six innocent lives lost three of them being children; it has certainly been a stark reminder to all of us about what really matters,” Governor Bill Lee said in a press conference.
On Monday, a Republican House bill to allow teachers, principals and school staff to carry a concealed handgun on school grounds requiring strict guidelines will be taken up by lawmakers.
“They’d have exactly the same training and requirement, those being 40 hours of training with the local law enforcement at their own expense, a mental health evaluation for that teacher, a background check with the FBI,” Representative Ryan Williams said.
Gun-control advocacy group ‘Moms Demand Action’ challenged the measure.
“More guns; less training is a recipe for disaster for students, for school staff and for law enforcement tasked with responding to a crisis where they don’t know who is the good guy with a gun versus the bad guy,” the advocacy group said.
On Tuesday, another GOP senate bill would lower the age for an enhanced lifetime and concealed handgun carry permit from 21 to 18.
“It renames the concealed handgun carry permit and enhanced handgun carry permits to concealed firearm carry permit and enhanced firearm carry permit authorizes holders of concealed and enhanced handgun carry permits to carry any firearm that the permit holder legally owns or possesses in any place or manner that is currently authorized for handguns.” Senator John Stevens said.
Moms Demand Action and other groups are calling for the opposite, the toughening of gun laws.
So far, Gov. Bill Lee signed an executive order this week to strengthen background checks for gun sales and a faster transfer of criminal history between agencies.
House democrats said the legislature is coming to a close potentially this week, but it could be extended depending on how quickly the budget passes and if the state can get through all of these bills.
