NASHVILLE - A bill that would have allowed public university professors and other full-time employees to go armed on campus was shuttled off to a summer study panel today by House Judiciary Committee members.
The move came after the sponsor of the bill, Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, temporarily left the room as the panel was considering another measure. Rep. Jim Coley, R-Bartlett, made the motion to defer the bill and it was quickly seconded and gaveled through on a voice vote.
"I was surprised, and I would say a little disappointed," Holt later said.
A group of University of Tennessee and State Board of Regents system police chiefs, faculty and parents of students later said they were pleased by the action.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Police Chief Bob Ratchford said "we disagree with the bill entirely. We feel like there are so many issues that are not being considered about the safety of the campus. We believes this will not create a safety environment, but to the contrary, present additional concerns."
For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.