The Tennessee House of Representatives on Tuesday approved HB 1202, which would arm teachers who are licensed, receive annual training, and are approved by police and school officials.
Protests threatened to interrupt the legislative body’s proceedings multiple times, with State Representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville) and his staffers at times joining protesters in performative acts of opposition to the bill.
After the legislation passed with 68 votes in favor and 28 against, video surfaced of Jones with a group of protesters who held a “die in” at the Capitol to express their displeasure at the legislation.
The Tennessee House just passed a bill that allows teachers and staff to carry a gun to protect the students. Staff who want to carry must go through 40 hours of gun training and have a psychological evaluation.
Left wing activists including Rep. Justin Jones staged a "die in"… pic.twitter.com/i0XbzuUuPg
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) April 23, 2024
Other video shows one of Jones’ staff members being escorted out of the Capitol by Tennessee State Troopers, though the man was later recorded back inside the building.
One of Justin Jones’ staff members is carried out by state troopers. @WSMV pic.twitter.com/3TKDtZYqQk
— Marissa Sulek (@marissa_sulek) April 23, 2024
Jones was ruled out of order at least three times on Tuesday, including when he walked to the front of the assembly and used his phone to record lawmakers and protesters. Because he was repeatedly ruled out of order, Jones will not be allowed to speak on the House floor until Thursday.
The Democrat was also sanctioned by his colleagues due to his behavior on the House floor, but in a statement to NewsChannel 5, Jones argued that House Republicans were the ones who behaved inappropriately.
“I was not allowed to speak and debate was cut off prematurely,” Jones said. After accusing Republicans of misbehaving, he continued, “I am the only one who was officially ruled out of order for video recording my constituents being removed from the gallery by state troopers and now will be silenced for the next two days.”
The video Jones posted to social media seems to feature the lawmaker, or another person standing very close to him, chanting “Blood on your hands” with the protesters.
Tennessee Republicans just cut off debate and passed a bill to arm teachers in our schools.
The public chanted “Blood on your hands!” as the Speaker ordered troopers to clear the gallery.
This is what fascism looks like. pic.twitter.com/9mg67oWMxM
— Rep. Justin Jones (@brotherjones_) April 23, 2024
Video of the full event shows House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) repeatedly urging Jones to stop recording, as seen at about 1:51:00 in the video below.
WATCH LIVE: The Tennessee House is in session. Lawmakers are expected to vote on a Republican-backed bill that would arm teachers. https://t.co/Ejywk1FdHv
— FoxNashville (@FOXNashville) April 23, 2024
HB 1202 was sponsored by State Representative Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville), and while it would arm some school teachers and faculty, its proponents previously highlighted the stringent requirements it imposes for guns to be carried on school property.
State Senator Paul Bailey (R-Sparta), who sponsored the version of the bill that already passed the Tennessee State Senate, predicted the requirements would lead to the legislation passing the General Assembly and receiving a signature from Governor Bill Lee.
In order to carry weapons on school grounds, he noted, “They must possess a valid handgun carry permit issued by this state, must be fingerprinted by the appropriate law enforcement agency, must pass a psychological evaluation.”
He noted school employees must then obtain “written authorization of the chief of the appropriate law enforcement agency” and annually complete “a minimum of 40 hours of training specific to school policing that has been approved by Peace Officer Standards & Training Commission.”
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Justin Jones” by Robby Starbuck.
