What's happened
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has signed a law allowing teachers to carry concealed handguns in schools, while Maine Governor Janet Mills has signed gun safety legislation expanding background checks and mental health resources.
Why it matters
The passage of these laws has significant implications for public safety and gun control measures in both Tennessee and Maine. The decision to allow concealed handguns in schools raises concerns about the impact on students and staff safety, while the gun safety legislation in Maine aims to strike a balance between public safety and gun ownership rights.
What the papers say
The Tennessee legislation allowing concealed handguns in schools has sparked strong opposition and protests, with gun control advocates expressing concerns about the safety implications. In contrast, Maine's gun safety legislation has been praised for its efforts to enhance public safety while respecting gun ownership traditions.
How we got here
The push for gun safety legislation in Maine follows a mass shooting in the state, prompting Governor Mills to take action to prevent future tragedies. In Tennessee, the legislation allowing concealed handguns in schools comes in response to a deadly school shooting, leading to a debate on the best strategies to enhance school safety.
Common question
More on these topics
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Tennessee, officially the State of Tennessee, is a state in the southeastern United States. Tennessee is the 36th largest by area and the 16th most populous of the 50 states.
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William Byron Lee is an American businessman and politician serving as the 50th and current governor of Tennessee. He took office in 2019.
Elected in 2018, Lee campaigned as a business-oriented Republican.
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Maine is the northernmost state in the Northeastern United States. Maine is the 12th smallest by area, the 9th least populous, and the 13th least densely populated of the 50 U.S. states.
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Janet Trafton Mills is an American lawyer and politician serving as the 57th and current Attorney General of Maine since 2013, previously holding the position from 2009 to 2011. She is the Governor-elect of Maine.