Yesterday, the House Civil Justice Committee considered House Bill 6, the School Security Act of 2013, and by a voice vote, passed HB 6 in committee. Sponsored by state Representative Eric Watson (R-22), HB 6 was amended to allow a person employed or assigned to a Local Education Agency to possess and carry a firearm on the grounds of that school if they are current or former law enforcement. The individual would also be required to have a Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit (HCP) and the written authorization of the director of schools.
Having an armed presence is the last line of defense from a future threat on our schoolchildren. On multiple occasions, an armed security guard or faculty member has prevented a school shooting from either happening or becoming worse. One of the most notable cases was Pearl High School in Mississippi in 1997. A shooter who had already killed two and wounded seven was disarmed by the assistant principal, Joel Myrick, after Joel had retrieved his pistol from his truck. Had an armed individual already been present, this incident could have ended much sooner. Certainly another gun control law is not going to protect our school teachers or students.
House Bill 6 has been referred to the House Education Committee and will be heard on Tuesday, April 9. Its companion, Senate Bill 570, passed in the Senate Education Committee yesterday and is scheduled for consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, April 9. Please contact members of both committees and politely urge them to support House Bill 6 and Senate Bill 570.
Contact information for House Education Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee is provided below:
House Education Committee considering HB 6:
Representative Harry Brooks (Chairman)
(615) 741-6879
Rep.harry.brooks@capitol.tn.gov
Representative John Forgety (Vice-Chairman)
(615) 741-1725
Rep.john.forgety@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Kevin Brooks
(615) 741-1350
Rep.kevin.brooks@capitol.tn.gov
Representative John DeBerry Jr.
(615) 741-2239
Rep.john.deberry@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Lois DeBerry
(615) 741-3830
Rep.lois.deberry@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Bill Dunn
(615) 741-1721
Rep.bill.dunn@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Roger Kane
(615) 741-4110
Rep.roger.kane@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Ron Lollar
(615) 741-7084
Rep.ron.lollar@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Harold Love, Jr.
(615) 741-3831
Rep.harold.love@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Debra Moody
(615) 741-3774
Rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Joe Pitts
(615) 741-2043
Rep.joe.pitts@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Dawn White
(615) 741-6849
Rep.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Mark White
(615) 741-4415
Mark.white@capitol.tn.gov
Representative Ryan Williams
(615) 741-1875
Rep.ryan.williams@capitol.tn.gov
Senate Judiciary Committee considering SB 570:
Senator Brian Kelsey (Chairman)
615-741-3036
sen.brian.kelsey@capitol.tn.gov
Senator Doug Overbey (First Vice Chairman)
615-741-0981
sen.doug.overbey@capitol.tn.gov
Senator Stacey Campfield (Second Vice Chairman)
615-741-1766
sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov
Senator Mike Bell
615-741-1946
sen.mike.bell@capitol.tn.gov
Senator Lowe Finney
615-741-1810
sen.lowe.finney@capitol.tn.gov
Senator Ophelia Ford
615-741-1767
sen.ophelia.ford@capitol.tn.gov
Senator Todd Gardenhire
615-741-6682
sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov
Senator Mark Green
615-741-2374
sen.mark.green@capitol.tn.gov
Senator John Stevens
(615) 741-4576
sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov
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