The Covenant School parents are kicked out of Tennessee subcommittee about new law that will allow more guns on campuses

  • Tennessee Highway Patrol forced sobbing parents and activists out if the session
  • The new law allows those with enhanced gun permits to carry in schools 
  • Audrey Hale, 28, killed six people at the Nashville school back in March

By GERMANIA RODRIGUEZ POLEO, US CHIEF REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

Grieving parents of the children who either died or lived through The Covenant School shooting were kicked out of a Tennessee subcommittee discussing a new law that will allow more guns on campuses.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol was pictured forcing sobbing parents out of the hearing, despite them having been called to testify.

Republican state representative Lowell Russell, who chaired Tuesday's session, summoned the cops later claiming that the audience were clapping and making interruptions.

The GOP-controlled House subcommittee adopted rules banning the public from holding signs in committees just a day before, but some of the spectators and protesters still brought signs supporting gun control.

It comes months after transgender shooter Audrey Hale, 28, killed six people, including three nine-year-olds, at the Nashville school. Hale, who was born female but was living as a man, was armed with an AR-style rifle, an AR-style pistol, and a handgun.

Activists and grieving parents of the children who either died or lived through The Covenant School shooting were kicked out of a Tennessee subcommittee on Tuesday

Activists and grieving parents of the children who either died or lived through The Covenant School shooting were kicked out of a Tennessee subcommittee on Tuesday

Melissa Alexaander, Covenant School mom, is embraced on Tuesday during the session

Melissa Alexaander, Covenant School mom, is embraced on Tuesday during the session

Audrey Hale, 28, killed three children and three members of the staff at the school on March 27. Pictured: Hale before transitioning to male

Hale, 28, had fired 152 rounds from two an assault rifle and a handgun during the vile shooting that rocked the US. Pictured: Hale before transitioning to male

However, on Wednesday a judge to temporarily block the rules that banned the public from holding signs during floor and committee proceedings. The decision came within hours of the filing of a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the three women who were removed because of their signs: Allison Polidor, Maryam Abolfazli and Erica Bowton.

Activist Allison Polidor was the first to be removed from the room as she held a sign that read: '1 KID > ALL THE GUNS.' 

'We’ve come to a point where you can’t hold up a sign. That’s not okay. That’s not democracy,' she said as she was led out.

Following the crowds' removal, legislators passed House Bill 7064, which allows enhanced gun permit holders such as cops, both active and retired, to carry a hand gun at any school building, bus or campus grounds. 

'We gave them three or four times to not do outbursts in the committee hearing, and unfortunately they continued after three, maybe four warnings,' state rep. Russell said. 'So unfortunately, that's just the way it goes, if they don't follow the rules.' 

Republicans, who have a supermajority control in the House, signed off on a new slate of strict rules this week during a special session that was called by Governor Bill Lee in reaction to the shooting in March. 

GOP leaders are not expected to take up gun control, but they have approved severely limiting the public from accessing the Senate and House galleries where people have traditionally been allowed to watch their government in action.

Sarah Shoop Neumann, the mother of one of the shooting's survivors, said she was supposed to testify at the session before she was removed.

 'The presence of firearms in schools is something I cannot speak against more strongly,' as reported by The Tennessean. 

'Teachers in this state already lack support in the state in terms of funding, staffing and being overwhelmed. And you want to arm them?' she added. 

She claimed having guns on campus during the school shooting would have made the tragedy even worse. 

The House subcommittee adopted rules banning the public from holding signs in committees , but some of the spectators and protesters still brought signs supporting gun control

The House subcommittee adopted rules banning the public from holding signs in committees , but some of the spectators and protesters still brought signs supporting gun control

Sarah Shoop Neumann, the mother of one of the shooting's survivors, said she was supposed to testify at the session before she was removed

Sarah Shoop Neumann, the mother of one of the shooting's survivors, said she was supposed to testify at the session before she was removed

Republican state representative Lowell Russell asked officers to clear the room

Republican state representative Lowell Russell asked officers to clear the room

While the bill passed the House, it faces a tougher battle passing in the Senate. 

The emotional and chaotic scene sparked widespread outrage from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, while others pointed out that while signs were banned, the public could still freely carry firearms inside the legislative office building. 

Celebrities like Amy Schumer reacted to the parents' ousting from the meeting, posting footage of the scene on her Instagram.

'I love these woman it’s always women,' she wrote. 'We bow down to this woman who - visibly shaking - said: “You will have to drag me out.”

'Moms will win.'

Actress Melissa Joan Hart commented under the post, writing: 'This is NOT what democracy looks like! Stand with the Moms!'

Hale, who had previously attended the Covenant School, used the names Audrey and Aiden but her preferred pronouns were he/him according to a LinkedIn page.

Police Chief John Drake added that Hale had been suffering from an 'emotional disorder' at the time of the shooting.

Audrey Hale, 28, had detailed writings plotting the sick attack months before killing three kids and three adults at The Covenant School

Audrey Hale, 28, had detailed writings plotting the sick attack months before killing three kids and three adults at The Covenant School 

Hale has been described as having 'high-functioning' autism, but police revealed she also was under doctors' care.

Her parents - Norma and Ronald Hale - knew that she had a weapon at one time, but told her to sell it because they thought she couldn't be trusted with it.

Instead, she hid her stockpile and added to it, buying seven different weapons in total from five local stores.

Before bursting into the school, the killer sent a haunting final message to Averianna Patton on Instagram. The two played basketball together in middle school.

At 9.57am, 16 minutes before cops were first notified to the shooting, Audrey wrote: 'So basically that post I made on here about you, that was basically a suicide note.

'I'm planning to die today. THIS IS NOT A JOKE!!! You'll probably hear about me on the news after I die.

'This is my last goodbye. I love you. 'See you again in another life.'

'Audrey (Aiden)'.

Patton immediately called the cops to report the messages but it was already too late.

RepublicansGun Control LawsTennessee

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