Staff and faculty can now be armed on public college campuses in Tennessee

A bill allowing staff and faculty at Tennessee's public colleges and universities to be armed on campus became law on Monday without Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's signature.

Haslam said in a statement that he disagreed with the bill for not allowing campus leader "to make their own decisions regarding security issues on campus."

But the governor acknowledged that the final version of the measure had addressed concerns raised by college administrators, with provisions protecting colleges from liability and a requirement to notify law enforcement about who is armed on campus.

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The Tennessee law limiting campus carry to faculty and staff with state-issued handgun carry permits is more limited than a bill awaiting a decision by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. That measure would allow anyone age 21 and up to carry a concealed handgun on campus with the proper permit.

The Tennessee law will keep gun bans in place for stadiums or gymnasiums while school-sponsored events are in progress; meetings where disciplinary or tenure issues are being discussed; hospitals or offices where medical or mental health services are provided; and any location prohibited by another law, such as at day care centers or elementary schools located on campus.

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The National Rifle Association had argued against allowing individual institutions to opt out of the guns-on-campus bill.

A similar measure was passed in Texas earlier this year.

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