Senator Marsha Blackburn, speaking on Newsmax’s “National Report,” emphasized the importance of ensuring children’s safety in schools, although she had not reviewed the specific Tennessee legislation passed last week allowing teachers and staff to carry concealed handguns on school premises.
While Blackburn acknowledged her lack of familiarity with the Tennessee State Senate bill, she highlighted her focus on school safety initiatives, particularly her Safe Schools Act.
Senator Marsha Blackburn (Credits: Business Insider)
This proposed legislation aims to provide grants to schools for implementing security measures such as installing ballistic film on doors, enhancing surveillance with cameras, and improving access control with one-touch locks and fencing around playgrounds.
The recently passed Senate Bill 1325 in Tennessee, approved by a 26-5 vote, permits teachers and faculty to carry firearms on school grounds under certain conditions.
These include possessing a handgun carry permit, obtaining written authorization from the school principal and local law enforcement, and completing 40 hours of handgun training. The bill follows a tragic shooting at the Covenant School last year, prompting heightened concerns about school safety.
Marsha Blackburn (Credits: The Hill)
Blackburn expressed satisfaction with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s utilization of provisions from her Safe Schools Act to allocate funds for school safety measures.
She also mentioned efforts to increase School Resource Officers (SROs) in schools and highlighted her proposal to allow retired law enforcement and military personnel to serve as security officers, drawing inspiration from retired individuals eager to contribute to school safety in their communities.
