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Tennessee considers arming teachers: Do other states allow them to carry guns on campus?

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Tennessee considers arming teachers: Do other states allow them to carry guns on campus?



More than half of all states have some type of law allowing teachers and other school employees to carry guns on campus.

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Tennessee lawmakers are considering a controversial bill that would allow some teachers to go armed in classrooms in the wake of Nashville’s Covenant School shooting last year that killed six people, including three children. 

The bill passed in the Senate and now awaits action in the House, despite vocal protests from Democrats, students and parents.

In a nation plagued with deadly school shootings, here is a closer look at laws in other states for guns in schools.

Which states allow teachers to carry firearms on school grounds?

More than half of all states have some type of law allowing teachers and other school employees to carry concealed guns on campus, according to data compiled by the Giffords Law Center.

Iowa is the most recent state to push for more guns, with lawmakers this week sending a bill to the governor that would allow teachers and other school employees to obtain permits to carry guns on school grounds.

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Just 16 states and the District of Columbia have laws specifically prohibiting teachers from carrying guns – Alabama, California, Delaware, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Most states, including Tennessee, allow non-law enforcement school security to carry guns on campus, and of the states that allow teachers and other school employees to carry guns, many require permission from the school district.  

Spotlight on teacher gun laws

California, a state with some of the nation’s strictest gun laws, allows non-law enforcement to carry guns without needing permission from the school district, but it prohibits teachers and other school employees. 

Texas, Florida, Arizona, Mississippi and South Dakota allow teachers and other employees to carry if they are designated school guardians or part of a program.

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Tennessee and Arkansas prohibit teachers in public schools from carrying guns but allow exemptions for private schools. 

Six states – Delaware, Nebraska, North Carolina, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Maine – prohibit guns for non-law enforcement school security, teachers and other staff. 

What do schools allow for the general public?

Most states prohibit members of the general public from carrying guns on campus, but a handful – Kansas Michigan Mississippi New Hampshire Oregon Utah and Wyoming – allow the guns if the individual has a concealed carry permit.

Just over half of all states, including Tennessee, allow people with concealed carry permits to keep loaded, unlocked guns in their cars on campus.

How would Tennessee’s law arming teachers work?

Tennessee’s law would allow facilities or staff to carry concealed guns on their respective campuses. The state already allows non-law enforcement school security to carry.

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The individual would have to get permission from the district and a law enforcement agency. The district would not be required to notify parents if a gun is in their child’s classroom.

A teacher would have to follow these additional requirements: 

  • Have a valid handgun carry permit
  • Undergo a background check
  • Complete 40 hours of additional training
  • Pass a psychological evaluation



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Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children

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Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — At a ballpark built for noise, there is space for something quieter.

During the Nashville Sounds’ “Beyond the Label Day,” kids are learning, playing and experiencing baseball in a way that works for them. Autism Tennessee volunteers stepped in to guide kids through sensory play designed to calm and focus.

From spinning toys to textured fidgets, these tools help turn overwhelming moments into manageable ones. Children engaged with the activities, pointing out shapes like a circle, noticing items like candies, and expressing how nice the experience was.

Adam English, general manager of the Nashville Sounds, said making space for everyone is the goal, even as the stadium announcer calls another Sounds strikeout.

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“It’s important for us to raise awareness about autism, but also just make sure that First Horizon Park is an inclusive place for everybody” English said.

The Sounds stadium even has a sensory room for families at every game.

“There’s huge baseball fans that sometimes shy away because of loud crowds and we want to make sure every game out here available” English said.

For Autism Tennessee leaders like Jessica Moore, days like this are about more than awareness. They are about belonging.

“Typically events like this can be super overwhelming… so this is just a way for people to feel like they can come and still be successful” Moore said.

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What are your thoughts on making sports venues more inclusive for all fans? Watch the video to see the sensory room in action, and share your experiences with me at kim.rafferty@NewsChannel5.com.

In this article, we used artificial intelligence to help us convert a video news report originally written by Kim Rafferty. When using this tool, both Kim Rafferty and the NewsChannel 5 editorial team verified all the facts in the article to make sure it is fair and accurate before we published it. We care about your trust in us and where you get your news, and using this tool allows us to convert our news coverage into different formats so we can quickly reach you where you like to consume information. It also lets our journalists spend more time looking into your story ideas, listening to you and digging into the stories that matter.

Checking in on Cole: Gallatin rallies around teen battling brain tumor with prayer vigil

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Austin Pollack brings us an update on a remarkable young man facing great odds, and his family has one simple request: pray for Cole. I believe in the power of prayer and hope you’ll join me in lifting up Cole and his family.

– Carrie Sharp





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Tennessee baseball vs Ole Miss score, live updates, start time, Game 3

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Tennessee baseball vs Ole Miss score, live updates, start time, Game 3


Tennessee baseball will look to salvage the final game of the SEC series against Ole Miss.

The Vols (25-14, 7-10 SEC) play Game against the No. 23 Rebels (29-11, 10-7) on April 19 (1 p.m. ET, SEC Network+) at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Ole Miss has been on a roll. The 8-1 win on April 18 against the Vols moved the Rebels to eight straight wins. It got an ace-level start from Cade Townsend and a grand slam from Tristan Bissetta to secure Game 2.

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Taylor Rabe (3-1, 3.16 ERA) will start for the Rebels. Evan Blanco (3-2, 3.67 ERA) will be on the mound for Tennessee.

Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss live updates

What channel is Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss on today?

  • TV channel: SEC Network+
  • Live stream: ESPN app

Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss game times

  • Game 3: April 19 (1 p.m. ET)

Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss probable pitchers

  • Tennessee: LHP Evan Blanco (3-2, 3.67 ERA)
  • Ole Miss: RHP Taylor Rabe (3-1, 3.16 ERA)



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Tennessee drops series to Ole Miss with game two loss

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Tennessee drops series to Ole Miss with game two loss


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – The Tennessee Volunteers baseball team dropped game two to Ole Miss on Saturday afternoon, 8-1. The Rebels clinch the series, the first time Ole Miss has won a series in Knoxville since 2016.

A bright spot for the Vols was Tegan Kuhns who threw 5.2 innings not allowing a run, striking out 10 batters on five hits.

Cam Appenzeller picked up his first loss of the season coming in out of the bullpen for Kuhns. The SEC Freshman of the Week did not have a great outing. Appenzeller went 2.1 innings giving up six earned runs.

Tennessee escaped a shutout as Trent Grindlinger hit a solo home run in the ninth inning. Grindlinger’s home run was one of Tennessee’s two hits on the night.

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The Volunteers look to avoid the series sweep as theY round out the series with Ole Miss on Sunday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. on the SEC Network+.

Copyright 2026 WVLT. All rights reserved.



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