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Tennessee Bill to Allow Teachers to Go Armed

547 views · Published 22 January 2013 · 2:42 · Indexed 19 October 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2013 · News & Politics

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By Jerry Askin  It's an idea that has been talked about a lot since last month's tragedy at Sandy Hook elementary in Connecticut.Monday, state representative Eric Watson introduced a bill he hopes will allow certain teachers in school districts to carry concealed weapons.Holly Kelsey is a 9th grade teacher at Bradley Central High School.  She's all for being armed in the classroom, especially after last month's mass shooting.We don't know what would have happened if there was a faculty member or officer with a gun at Sandy Hook Elementary, says Holly Kelly.They'd have to go through 40 hours of training ---training sort of like a school's resource officer, but the idea is for these newly trained teachers to support the SRO's, not take their place.Deadly weapons have been found in kids book bags, on school grounds, and gang fights have broken out in school is at the point where SRO's were overpowred and they couldn't control it alone, says State rep. Eric Watson.The idea of children and their safety is why Bradley Central High School principal Todd Shoemaker says he supports the bill fully.I think we need an available option that if something does take place, you can stop the threat towards your students, says Shoemaker.We took the idea to parents, some were in support.I want my children to be protected, or have police officers at every door, says parent Betty McDowell.But, not everyone was on board.I think it'd be more harmful if anything. Don't see any reason for it, says parent Sammy Scoggins.Again, districts will have to choose if they'll opt in the program.  Session begins Tuesday, January 8th.  We'll let you know if the bill passes.

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