The Tennessee House has voted 69-24 to allow faculty and staff at public colleges and universities to be armed for self-defense.
The April 20 vote came one day after the Tennessee Senate passed the campus carry legislation by a vote of 28-5.
The legislation allows those with a concealed carry permit to carry concealed on campus in the same way that they carry concealed throughout the rest of their day. However, it does prohibit “bringing the weapons to stadiums or gymnasiums, hospitals, school-sponsored events or meetings where disciplinary or tenure issues are being discussed.”
Carving out these zones as carry-free has proven characteristic of most campus carry legislation throughout the country.
According to the Associated Press, Representative Andy Holt (R-Dresden) sponsored the legislation in the House. Senator Mike Bell (R-Riceville) sponsored the legislation in the Senate.
Governor Bill Haslam (R) is vacillating between supporting and opposing the legislation. He expressed concern that the bill takes away a public college or university’s option in the matter.
AWR Hawkins is the Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com.
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