College and university faculty and staff in Tennessee may soon be able to arm themselves with handguns on campuses. The Tennessee state Senate passed the measure Tuesday 28 to 5.
The House is expected to take up the measure today (Wednesday). Republican Governor Bill Haslam raised concerns about the measure for not giving institutions the power to opt out.
The bill’s sponsor Republican Senator Mike Bell of Riceville dismissed concerns from faculty members worried about safety.
Bell said the Legislature has the authority to dictate gun policies at public universities and said he hopes some professors will follow through on their vows to quit so that more conservative instructors will take their place.
