NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Tennessee lawmaker wants to give the public access to juvenile school shooters’ criminal, psychological, and other records if they’re already dead.
House Majority Leader Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland) filed an amendment to a bill that would allow the public to view juvenile records of children who commit a homicide on school grounds and are deceased themselves. Lamberth said it stems from the Antioch High School shooting when the public was barred from viewing the shooter’s juvenile records because he was under 18.
“That young man was in the criminal justice system. We do not know publicly exactly what his records are, but we know there was a history there,” Leader Lamberth said.
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News 2 tried to search for answers into the Antioch High School shooter’s past but Metro police said certain TN laws prevented them from sharing those details.
Lamberth’s amendment, which he called “carefully crafted,” would lift those restrictions if the juvenile committed a homicide on campus and is deceased.
“You have a right to know what was their prior criminal history, what was their psychological information on any kind of mental health issues that may or may not have occurred, what involvement was DCS in that family’s life, so we can really ask the tough questions and all of you can ask the tough questions on how on earth that young man was in that school with a gun to kill that young lady and all the warning signs were missed?” Lamberth said.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) told News 2 in a statement he’d rather Republicans take action to prevent gun violence.
“Aside from necessary use by law enforcement and attorneys, juvenile records have always been treated as private and confidential. This proposed legislation appears intended to seek answers after gun violence has occurred but does nothing to actually prevent gun violence. I would prefer we focus our legislative efforts on preventing tragedies and address the root cause of gun violence – the firearm. Keeping firearms out of the hands of those who pose a threat of harm to themselves or others, requiring universal background checks, and other similar, popular policies would better protect our children and improve public safety.”
Democrats also expressed their opposition to the bill itself, which would allow judges to use an adult suspect’s juvenile record to determine their bond.
“I think that legislation is completely inappropriate. We have longstanding laws in place where juvenile records are not considered. Certainly things we do as children should not be considered as adults,” Senate Minority Leader Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) said.
The bill passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee Wednesday and will be debated in the House Judiciary Committee next week. The Senate version of the bill will move to the Senate floor March 3.
