Tennessee Bill Would Allow Guns In Private Schools

If passed, a newly proposed bill in Tennessee will allow private K-12 schools and higher education institutions to allow qualified people to carry handguns in all buildings and on all campuses owned and operated by the private school. According to the bill, qualified persons are defined as anyone who has a valid Tennessee handgun carry permit and is not prohibited from possessing a handgun. 

Although the legislation filed Monday would not require private educational institutions to allow all qualified people to carry firearms on school grounds, it would compel school administrations to implement a firearm policy—with the ability to decide who is allowed to carry a gun on premises. This proposed legislation is among at least six gun-related bills that have been introduced for the 2016 Tennessee legislative session, which range from decreasing lifetime handgun permit fees, to “permitless” carry, and will be addressed when the General Assembly reconvenes.