Educators weigh in on law allowing teachers to carry firearms

GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Shortly before Gov. Bill Lee signed legislation allowing teachers who meet certain qualifications to carry a firearm at school, News Channel 11 spoke to South Greene Middle School teacher Joshua Arrowwood who is in favor of the law.

“I am because if something happened, you know, and we all hope nothing does happen, but if something were to happen and I had the ability to have carried and chose not to, you know, that would weigh on me,” Arrowood said.

Since the initial interview with News Channel 11, Arrowood has become a bit of a spokesperson for teachers who want to carry in the classroom. He’s been interviewed by several news outlets including a national TV news program. That interview happened in Nashville and a Nashville school teacher who is against the law was also interviewed.

Arrowood says he’s enjoyed meeting those with opposing views and sharing his.

“I mean, learning on other people’s viewpoints is as important to being able to reach some type of consensus,” Arrowood said. “And I think on this issue, the consensus is we want our kids safe and it’s how do we best get there?”

Arrowood says in East Tennessee he’s received mostly positive reactions to his viewpoints. But though he is willing to carry, the county sheriff, his principal and the Director of Schools must also all agree.

So far that’s not happened according to Arrowood.

David McLain, Greene County director of schools, says it won’t be made public if it does.

“I will not comment whether our teachers will or will not carry.  Due to being a part of our school safety plan this information is not open to the public.”

David McLain, Greene County director of schools

Brian Blackle with the Tennessee Department of Education told News Channel 11 that it’s the school district’s choice to keep that information private.

“The law does not require school districts to report their decisions regarding allowing or not allowing teachers to carry firearms to the Tennessee Department of Education,” Blackle said. “Per the law, this is a local decision between school districts and their presiding law enforcement agencies.”

And four months after the law was passed, Arrowood says he’s not even sure he will be able to carry in his district.

“I don’t know that it will,” Arrowood said.

Several school systems responded to News Channel 11 about their policies regarding arming teachers. Statements from those schools districts can be read below:

Hawkins County Schools will comply with all laws, including the new Teacher Carry Law. I have worked with the Hawkins County Sheriff and his team to develop a process that will comply with the new law. At this point, we have had no applications or inquiries from our teacher staff or admin, wishing to carry or go about the process. With concerns around cost, the number of required training hours, and the thorough background and vetting process, I believe this may have become a series of hoops not too many will be willing to tackle. I also have concerns regarding identification of school personnel with weapons in the event of an emergency. Our law enforcement partners are trained to alleviate all threats to our students and staff. If our staff aren’t clearly identifiable and are brandishing a weapon at such a time law enforcement descends upon a school site, their safety may be jeopardized as well. Again, all this to say, we will comply with the law, and I absolutely support individuals’ rights to carry, but there are many details we must carefully weigh through and plan for regarding implementation.

Matt Hixson, Hawkins County director of schools

Washington County Board of Education members have expressed their views on the idea and the intent of the law in a regular Board meeting last spring. As superintendent, my stance has been and will continue to be that highly trained, active duty, law enforcement officers should be the only individuals authorized to carry a firearm on our school campuses.  We are thankful for our strong partnership and support of Sheriff Sexton and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office that ensures that we have a student resource officer (SRO) with specialized training and expertise in all of the schools each day.

We certainly will follow the letter of the law.  Any eligible WCS employee that pursues the steps outlined in the law to seek authorization will have to meet all of the requirements and obtain written authorization from three officials identified in the law that include the principal of the school, the superintendent, and the Sheriff.  All three statutory authorizers must provide written authorization. If any one of three statutory authorizers do not agree, an employee will not be authorized to carry a firearm on any school campus

Dr. Jerry Boyd, Washington County director of schools

We have no plans to implement this policy in our system. We are appreciative of our relationship with the Elizabethton Police Department which provides SRO’s for our schools. This, along with other safety measures, are part of our overall plan to provide and safe and secure environment for our students and staff.

Richard VanHuss, Elizabethton director of schools

Johnson City Schools will not (allow teachers to carry.)

Johnson City Schools Spokesperson

At this time Sullivan County does not have staff members who are armed. We are grateful to have a minimum of one armed School Resource Officer in each of our schools.

Chuck Carter, Sullivan County director of schools

Kingsport City Schools Assistant Superintendent Andy True said the school system will not be allowing teachers to carry guns.

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