Senate approves bill to allow guns on college campuses

Tennessee's latest version of a campus carry gun bill that would allow full-time employees at public colleges and universities to have weapons moved forward on Tuesday when the state Senate approved the measure.

With a 28-5 vote that fell along party lines, the chamber advanced the controversial bill, which proponents argue will provide additional safety at the state's higher education campuses.

Opponents of the legislation, including police chiefs and students throughout the state, argue the measure would not make campuses safer and would even complicate matters during active shooter incidents.

Students speak out against Tennessee guns-on-campus bill

Any faculty member interested in carrying a weapon on campus would be required to notify the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the property. Authorities would not be allowed to say which employees were carrying a weapon.

Bills would expand ability to bring guns on campus

Although there would be some limitations as to where guns can be carried — they would still not be allowed in a stadium or gymnasium during school-sponsored events or in meetings regarding discipline or tenure — full-time professors could carry a gun inside their classroom if they wanted.

As the chamber debated the measure for nearly 40 minutes, Sen. Lee Harris, D-Memphis, pointed to the results of a survey, released on Tuesday, from faculty members at several University of Tennessee campuses, in an effort to halt the legislation.

Harris' survey, which he sent out to faculty members April 13, indicated that faculty members were highly concerned and frequently critical of the bill.

"I will strongly consider leaving UT if this passes," one respondent said.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, took issue with the responses included in the survey, saying, "I think some of these people need to take their medication."

After noting that some respondents suggested they would quit, Bell welcomed the opportunity for the University of Tennessee to "hire some conservative teachers."

Sen. Kerry Roberts, R-Springfield, said unless lawmakers approved the bill, they would be denying the opportunity for faculty members to protect students on campus.

Harris unsuccessfully tried to amend the bill to allow higher education institutions to set their own gun policy rather than implementing a statewide policy. Noting that his amendment essentially mirrored a bill — also sponsored by Bell — that was given approval in the legislature earlier this session regarding private K-12 schools and universities, Harris said that legislation advanced because there was a "diversity of opinions" on allowing guns in private schools.

Bill would allow private schools to allow guns on campus

Bell said his bill regarding private K-12 schools was more of a property rights issue than a "weapons perspective," adding that he didn't think the state should be controlling what is done at a private school.

"We absolutely should control and dictate what goes on at a public university," he said.

While Gov. Bill Haslam has expressed concerns about the measure, suggesting he would prefer to allow each university the option to make its own decision, he has not indicated whether he would veto the bill.

The House version of the legislation — sponsored by Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden — also was given approval in the chamber's finance committee Tuesday. The chamber is expected vote on the bill Wednesday, which is expected to be the final day of the legislative session.

Beth Joslin Roth, policy director for Safe Tennessee Project, questioned lawmakers' decision, noting that their action comes despite significant opposition from law enforcement.

"At the very least, university and college administration in conjunction with their campus police chiefs should be the ones deciding whether or not they allow guns on their individual school's campus," she said in a statement. "The fact that our legislators outright reject the recommendation of law enforcement and ridicule the concerns of administrators, faculty, and students clearly demonstrates that our legislature's loyalty lies with the NRA, and not with the Tennesseans who will be affected by this bill."

In addition to the campus carry bill, the Senate also unanimously approved a bill that would lower the fee for obtaining a lifetime handgun permit from $500 to $200. That measure, which passed the House on Monday, will head to the governor.

House approves bill to lower lifetime gun permit fees

The Senate also unanimously approved a bill that would lower the age to carry a weapon from 21 years old. Proponents of the measure originally sought to allow all Tennesseans 18 or older to legally have a gun, but it was amended to pertain only to anyone who is honorably discharged, a retired veteran or an active-duty member of the military.

Reach Joel Ebert at 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.