Lawmakers and law enforcement personnel are expressing support for the SAFE School Act, which focuses on keeping children safe.
U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) would introduce the bill to establish a $900 million grant program enabling public and private schools to train and hire veterans and former law enforcement officers to serve as school safety officers, hire off duty law enforcement officers, and provide funding to bolster physical security.
“I am beyond heartbroken at the shooting that occurred at the Covenant School in Nashville,” Blackburn said. “No parent should have to endure what these families are experiencing. Schools should be places where children are safe to learn, play and be children. My legislation with Sen. Hagerty will allow both public and private schools to train and hire veterans and former law enforcement officers to serve as school safety officers, as well as increase physical security measures to harden schools. By providing these critical funds, we can help protect our precious children and secure our schools.”
Gov. Bill Lee said nothing is more important than students safely returning home from school every day.
“I commend Sens. Blackburn and Hagerty for proposing legislation to secure public and private schools across the nation,” he said. “At the state level, Tennessee is taking significant action to strengthen physical security at schools, support law enforcement, engage parents, and boost mental health resources.”
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David B. Rausch said any effort to detect, deter and prevent such attacks is vitally important.
“Providing specially-trained, armed professionals to more schools and more funding to ensure these facilities are as secure as possible are two immediate steps we can take,” Rausch said.