NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee officially signed legislation that would allow school districts to allow teachers to conceal weapons on school grounds.

The measure, which generated significant backlash from teachers and parents, including Covenant families, ultimately passed along party lines, despite repeated attempts at proposed amendments by Democrats.

Under the amended bill, teachers could carry concealed firearms if they meet specific requirements, including submitting their fingerprints, passing a background check and psychological evaluation, and receiving 40 hours of firearms-related training. school safety.

Additionally, they could only continue on school grounds if their specific principal and their director of schools sign a memorandum of understanding with their local law enforcement agency. Without the MOU, no teacher would be allowed to practice under the terms of the law.

Shortly after the 113th General Assembly permanently suspended the session –sine die–, the governor announced in a press conference that he did intend to sign the newly approved law.

The law goes into effect immediately upon receiving the governor’s approval and will go into effect before the 2024-2025 school year.

Many Tennessee school districts released statements indicating they would wait to see if the governor signed the legislation before making official decisions about whether to participate in the program. Once the governor announced his decision to sign the law, they changed course.

Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools said it has no plans to allow armed teachers, instead relying on School Resource Officers (SROs) stationed at each Nashville school.

Regardless of whether the governor signed the legislation, the law would take effect in Tennessee. According to the state Capitol website, the governor traditionally has 10 days to sign or veto a bill. If he does not sign a bill passed by the general assembly, it becomes law without his signature.

In 2016, former Gov. Bill Haslam allowed a bill that would allow college professors to practice if they met permit requirements to become law without his signature.