Guns already allowed in schools in 18 states with few restrictions

The American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association have both campaigned against such measures, but not all local school administrators share their position.

In Tennessee, the membership of Professional Educators of Tennessee is “split about 50-50,” on proposals like Watson’s, said J.C. Bowman, a spokesman for the organization.

“Some don’t want the responsibility, and they worry about liability,” Bowman said. “But this doesn’t prohibit it and it doesn’t require it, so that’s something we can work with.”

Jim Rigano, a member of the Springboro, Ohio, school board, said he hoped to craft a policy to allow school employees with proper state permits to carry guns.

“I think it’s about giving employees the opportunity to defend themselves,” he told NBC station WDTN of Dayton.