House Education Administration Committee Passes Tennessee Private School Handgun Law (Update 2.23.24)

***Update 2.23.24 – HB1631 is scheduled to be heard on the House Floor on Monday, February 26th. To voice your support or opposition to the legislation, find and contact your representative HERE prior their meeting.***

Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

The House Education Administration Committee heard legislation that would allow private schools in Tennessee to create their own policies for allowing handguns on campus.

State Representative Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood-District 61) explained that House Bill 1631 (HB1631) clarifies that “a private school serving students in any of the grades pre-K through 12 is authorized to adopt a handgun carry policy for the private school’s property.”

Bulso reminded the committee that the House had passed the legislation during the special session in August, but the Senate did not take up the bill.

Representative Harold Love (D-Nashville-District 58) asked if current law allowed public schools with grades pre-K through 12 to create handgun policies.

Bulso responded that the legislative bodies, representing the constituents who elected them, actually develop those policies for public schools.

Chairman Mark White (R-Memphis-District 83) called for a voice vote on the bill. The bill passed with ayes prevailing. 

As of the publication of this article, the General Assembly website has not made note of the Aye or Nay votes. However, when viewing the associated video of the meeting, no Nays were audible when the voice vote was called.

HB1631 will now move to the Calendar and Rules Committee for scheduling to be heard on the House floor.