Since the Covenant Christian School shooting in Nashville, which left six people dead, including three children, the Tennessee Legislature and Governor Bill Lee have been at odds over the proper legislative response. The governor has called a special session on August 21 to supposedly address this violent act and its aftermath, but many Democrats and some Republicans in the governing body are calling for legislation which will incorporate Red Flag laws and more gun control.

The special session focused on public safety is officially happening. It’s set to begin Aug. 21 — as expected. WPLN's @BlaiseGainey reports Gov. Bill Lee is asking lawmakers to focus on preventing violent crime, but Democrats say it misses the mark. https://t.co/NeV1T0s4fB

— WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio (@WPLN) August 9, 2023

However, Lee and the majority of Republicans are seeking to address mental health and encourage proper gun training and storage.

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It is interesting that the shooter Audrey Hale's manifesto still has not been released. What was in her mind in targeting the Covenant School and in planning this shooting would be a more useful guide on any legislative agenda that could be set. Governor Lee is seeking to balance Second Amendment rights with Left-wing and Democrat demands for more gun control. But splitting the baby only gets you a dead baby and no real solutions.

School Resource Officers are a deterrent to not only a school being targeted by an active shooter, but to the potential of one of the students becoming one. The National Association of School Resource Officers, an organization that trains and certifies these types of officers nationwide, says that resource officers are trained to develop close relationships with students, parents, and teachers. This provides valuable insight into the safety of the campus, but also gives students a mentor and role model, an adult that they can trust, and even confide in. Students can become valuable intelligence assets in order to keep themselves, and the school, safe.

While many cities and counties incorporate resource officers into their public education budgets, private schools like The Covenant School would need to rely on private security to fill that role. Back in March, Governor Lee had a bill on the table to try and address this deficit.

The Covenant School shooting has many reflecting on security measures needed in schools, and the role of school resource officers (SROs).

A bill currently on Governor Bill Lee’s desk would allow private schools to partner with local law enforcement to hire SROs. Up to this point, private schools in Tennessee could hire off duty police officers and private security organizations for school resources. 

Metro police said the private Presbyterian school had undergone active shooter training in 2022, which officers believe helped save lives. However, the institution did not have SROs. News 2 asked the National Association of School Resource Officers how common it is for private schools to hire SROs, to which Director of Operations Mac Hardy replied “not many.” 

“Nashville response was phenomenal; I thought that getting the call and being on site then moving directly to the threat was picture perfect,” the former teacher and retired police sergeant said about bodycam footage. “It isn’t a head headmistress’ responsibility to run towards that shooting; it’s an armed, trained police officer to run towards that shooting.” 

Even after the carnage in Nashville, the Nashville Metropolitan Police refused increased funding for resource officers in their budget.

Gov. Bill Lee in response to Metro Nashville schools declining $5+ million for SROs.

Clearly unhappy with the decision.@WKRN #TNLeg23 pic.twitter.com/hcvSJSIepu

— Chris O’Brien (@THEChrisOB) July 14, 2023

One Northern Alabama County, which borders Tennessee, has begun its school year by supplying a resource officer for each school in its district, and partnering on the salaries, costs, and training through sales tax revenue and the sheriff's department.

Each Colbert County school for the first time ever will have a dedicated school resource officer (SRO) to help provide security. County commissioners recently approved the hiring of six new SROs, many who have decades of experience in law enforcement.

"We are so proud of getting SROs in all the [county] schools," Sheriff Eric Balentine said. "It was a collaborative effort." Superintendent of Education Chris Hand said SROs in every school was a goal of the board of education.

[...] "Being able to negotiate a partnership between the county commission and the sheriff's office, it's changed our ability to provide safety to a high degree at every school," Hand said. "That's something I'm very proud of."He said the relationship also bridges the gap between law enforcement and the school system. County Board of Education District Safety and Security Officer Brad Counce said the eight officers have a combined 260 years of experience in law enforcement. Most are retired officers, and several retired at the rank of lieutenant and captain.

So, this one county is utilizing their own resources to equip resource officers toward the goal of protecting the life of children. But what of the private schools in the county? In speaking with Rev. James McCaney, Jr. pastor of Florence, AL's Victory Christian Fellowship and administrator of its Christian Academy, there are no restrictions on any adult who wishes to carry a firearm on the school premises and to use it, if necessary, to protect the lives of its students."We carry physically, openly, all day long. I carry in the pulpit." Rev. McCaney said. The church and school took this stance after the June 2015 Mother Emmanuel massacre in Charleston, where a racist infiltrated a majority Black church Bible study and opened fire on the congregants. As Rev. McCaney sees it, helping to protect children means anyone who has a firearm and is equipped to carry it, is welcome to do so. The state of Alabama has recently instituted constitutional carry, eliminating the need for gun permits for anyone who wishes to carry a firearm.

Perhaps Tennessee should stop trying to manipulate legislation and simply empower its citizens to do what needs to be done.