April 4, 2018
House Republicans put the safety and lives of teachers and students at risk by killing Rep. Byrd's school grounds legislation.
Rep. David Byrd is a former teacher, coach and public school principal and now a Republican legislator. He is also the House sponsor of HB2208. That legislation would have allowed a limited number of teachers and other school employees who are handgun permit holders and who have had the same types of additional intensive handgun training required of "school resource officers" to be allowed to be armed on school grounds.
This is not a "test" legislation. This legislation was intended (even before being watered down) to follow the lead that Texas took years ago which and known as the "Guardian Plan" which allows armed teachers and school employs to carry in over 170 school districts. Similar plans exist in many states - some of which actually require that the teacher or school employee openly carry.
With several states allowing this ... has anyone seen reports of those properly armed teachers and administrators shooting their students, supervisors or visitors? No.
Rep. Byrd's legislation was approved by the House Civil Justice committee on March 20 with only 3 Democrats voting against ... as expected.
Curiously, after Rep. Byrd's bill came out of that committee with the unanimous support of the Republicans in that committee ... something occurred. A news source reported that after Rep. Byrd's bill passed overwhelmingly in that committee that Speaker Beth Harwell directed Rep. Byrd to drop his bill. He refused. Within days, Beth Harwell was publicly calling on Rep. Byrd to resign (presumptively also killing his bill) on allegations that had "coincidentally" surfaced by former students who claimed inappropriate conduct by him over 30 years ago. No ethics complaint or investigation - just a public demand by a Speaker who some may feel has weaponized her office and power against other legislators who resist her demands.
However, Rep. Byrd refused to resign.
Ok, so what does this have to do with the bill?
Well, it has to do with Beth Harwell and how she is willing apparently to exercise power behind the scenes to derail legislation which, if derailed, leaves teachers and school administrators and employees barred from being able to defend themselves, their schools and their students under threat of felony prosecution.
After these events involving Beth Harwell were exposed, Rep. Byrd presented his bill to the House Education Committee on April 4.
The committee was allowed by the chair to take an unrecorded voice vote on the bill and killed it on a vote of 9 to 4 according to the state website. You can see the discussion on the state website.
The chair of the committee is Harry Brooks (R - rep.harry.brooks@capitol.tn.gov) and the vice-chair is Eddie Smith (R - rep.eddie.smith@capitol.tn.gov). Both of them are appointed by Beth Harwell and presumptive "owe her" for their appointments. There are 11 other members of the committee:
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| Rep. Akbari, Raumesh | D | rep.raumesh.akbari@capitol.tn.gov |
| Rep. Deberry Jr., John | D | rep.john.deberry@capitol.tn.gov |
| Rep. Fitzhugh, Craig | D | rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov |
| Rep. Kane, Roger | R | rep.roger.kane@capitol.tn.gov |
| Rep. Lollar, Ron | R | rep.ron.lollar@capitol.tn.gov |
| Rep. Matlock, Jimmy | R | rep.jimmy.matlock@capitol.tn.gov |
| Rep. Moody, Debra | R | rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov |
| Rep. Turner, Johnnie | D | rep.johnnie.turner@capitol.tn.gov |
| Rep. Weaver, Terri | R | rep.terri.lynn.weaver@capitol.tn.gov |
| Rep. White, Dawn | R | rep.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov |
| Rep. White, Mark | R | rep.mark.white@capitol.tn.gov |
Of these committee members, only Republicans Jimmy Matlock, Debra Moody, Terri Weaver and Dawn White requested to be noted as voting "yes" on the bill. Five (5) Republicans and all the Democrats voted against the bill.
One of the committee members commented, while voting against the bill, that they were thankful that the governor has decided to give $30 million of tax dollars to put armed law enforcement (most or all working the position as a 2nd job) in the schools. Unfortunately, such a comment and numerous others by those legislators voting to retain schools on the list of "gun free killing zones" demonstrate a complete disdain and lack of comprehension of the 2nd Amendment.
Legislation like the one offered by Rep. Byrd has worked in other states and school systems for years. It merely allows those school employees who desire and want to carry to do so. It does not require anyone to carry a gun. It does allow however those who are trained and desire to do so to have those weapons in the schools so that should another terrorist or mass killer enter the property that they at least have a choice other than to through "rocks" or perhaps their cell phones or other electronic devices are determined often mentally unstable individuals who are already committed to death, carnage and frequently suicide.
As a first order of business, its time to call and email these legislators. Thank those who voted to help by allowing capable adults the ability to present an effective defense of their lives and those of others if ever necessary.
As a second order of business, we need to ask again what did Beth Harwell have to do with this travesty? Certainly, the evidence suggests the possible handiwork arising from her willingness to use her power and office to unilaterally decide which issues will be allowed to be debated on the floor of the House by all elected officials and not just a handful of her minions.
Oh, let's also note that Craig Fitzhugh, who like Beth Harwell, is also running for governor was against the bill ... just like the Speaker herself.
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