Guns are now allowed on buses in Tennessee’s four largest states thanks to new legislation that took effect July 1st.
Riders who are “authorized” to carry a gun may now do so under a controversial provision that placed the cities in an either-or situation. The municipalities could have opted out of the gun requirement if they installed metal detectors at bus terminals; fiscal constraints precluded them from doing so.
Determining exactly who is “authorized” to carry a weapon will be left to law enforcement and security personnel who patrol the areas. Critics have noted that the stations are used by children traveling back and forth to school, creating a potential safety issue. They have further stated that the law could conflict with existing state law, which makes it a felony to bring guns into a facility used for school purposes, including bus stations.