NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Tennessee General Assembly has passed a law that would allow teachers and other employees with handgun carry permits to be armed on the campuses of the state’s public colleges and universities.
The bill, which was sponsored by Republican Rep. Andy Holt of Dresden, passed the House 69-24 Wednesday. Republican Gov. Bill Haslam has raised concerns about the measure because it didn’t give the institutions the power to opt out.
In a statement to ClarksvilleNow news partners WKRN News 2, Austin Peay State University spokesman Bill Persinger, stated, “The administration at Austin Peay State University is of the opinion that firearms do not enhance the freedom of thought or learning at a university campus. Austin Peay’s professionally trained police are trained by the state and provide a robust security to campus. It is our opinion that this arrangement works well.”
The bill allows faculty and staff to carry a concealed handgun on campus if the employee has a valid handgun carry permit. However, Holt said they would be barred from bringing the weapons to stadiums or gymnasiums, hospitals, school-sponsored events or meetings where disciplinary or tenure issues are being discussed.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.