Joel Ebert

USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

A bill to allow full-time employees, including professors, at Tennessee public colleges and universities to carry weapons on campus is headed to Gov. Bill Haslam.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the campus carry gun bill with a 69-24 vote.

The Senate approved the measure on Tuesday.

Senate approves bill to allow guns on college campuses

Proponents argue the legislation is necessary in order to provide additional safety. Opponents, including police chiefs, students and a significant number of faculty members at the University of Tennessee, believe the legislation would not actually make the campus safer and would complicate how law enforcement handle an active shooter incident.

Any employee interested in carrying a weapon on campus would be required to notify the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the property and would face some limitations as to where they can carry a gun, which would have to be concealed.

Valid permit holders could not bring a weapon into a stadium or gymnasium during school-sponsored events or in meetings regarding discipline or tenure.

The measure does not allow students to carry weapons on campus

While presenting the bill, Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, argued it is necessary, especially in light of a shooting on Wednesday at a St. Louis university that left one wounded.

One wounded in shooting at Washington University

Rep. Mike Stewart, D-Nashville, pointed to a recently released survey of 1,700 faculty members at the University of Tennessee, which found several employees were critical of the measure.

"Don't we need to be worried about passing a bill that could drive some of faculty away from our flagship institution?" Stewart asked Holt.

During his defense of the bill, Holt brushed aside those concerns by taking to social media, while also saying he was more worried about the fact that the right to bear arms was being denied to people.

Gov. Bill Haslam has expressed concerns about the measure, saying he would prefer to allow each university the option to make its own decision. The governor has not indicated whether he would veto the bill.

Allowing guns on campus only diminishes safety

Reach Joel Ebert at 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.