On December 7, 2023, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti joined attorney generals from the States of Kansas, Iowa, Montana, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming, and the Arizona State Legislature in opposing the…
Author Archives: JohnHarris
Rep. Bryan Richey (R) proposes allowing hunting over bait on privately owned land.
Tennessee Republican House Member Bryan Richey, who represents part of Blount County, has filed a bill which would allow hunting over “bait” on privately owned land, but not on public lands. His legislation, House Bill 1618, provides: SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 70-4-113(a), is amended by deleting subsection (a) and substituting: (a) Except as…
TFA, TFF, GOA and VCDL file joint comments to oppose ATF’s proposed “engaged in business” rule
On September 8, 2023, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) published a “Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” in the Federal Register, entitled “Definition of Engaged in the Business as a Dealer in Firearms,” 2022R-17, 88 FR 61993 (“NPRM”). ATF sought public comment on its proposal by December 7, 2023. TFA coordinated with Gun…
Gun owners need to be prepared to demand that Legislators demonstrate a “Bruen Basis” for their legislative proposals.
The Tennessee 2024 Legislative Session starts in January. Already, some bad bills have been filed and more are certain to come. Likewise, Tennessee Firearms Association is talking with some Legislators, those who have either proven their Second Amendment support or who are at least willing to discuss the issue, about pro-Second Amendment legislation. To be…
Red Flag Down – 2024 Legislative Watch
In 2023, citizens across Tennessee who are interested in protecting our individual civil rights from unconstitutional government infringements moved forward with a load voice in the Red Flag Down campaign by the Tennessee Firearms Association to defeat an attempt by Governor Lee and some Republican legislators to push a “red flag” or “mental health order…
Litigation challenge to Tennessee’s “parks” statute – update.
On February 16, 2023, a lawsuit was filed by Stephen L. Hughes, Duncan O’Mara, Elaine Kehel, Gun Owners of America, Inc., and Gun Owners Foundation against Bill Lee, in his official capacity as the governor of the state of Tennessee. See, Stephen L. Hughes, et al., v. Bill Lee, Chancery Court for the 28th Judicial…
Rep. Ryan Williams initiates 2024 attack on 2nd Amendment rights.
Rep. Ryan Williams (R.) who represents part of Putnam County has already filed 2 bills that could be heard in the 2024 Legislative session. These are House Bill 1599 and House Bill 1600. Both of the bills would directly impact the rights that are protected by the Second Amendment which are applicable to those in…
Tennessee Court of Appeals to hear oral arguments regarding the Covenant Shooter “Manifesto” case
Tennessee Firearms Association is one of the parties that has sued the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County to obtain access under Tennessee “Open Records” law to the writings and materials seized from and related to the Covenant Shooter. These “open records” lawsuits are typically resolved quickly and normally involve the individual or entity…
Federal District Court in Texas issues injunction against ATF and its enforcement of its rule against “force reset triggers” in 5th Circuit
On October 7, 2023, Judge O’Connor in the Northern District of Texas granted an injunction against the ATF prohibiting it in certain means from enforcing its “force reset trigger” rule. See, National Association for Gun Rights, Inc., et al. v. Merrick Garland, et al. N. D. Texas, No. 4:23-cv-00830-O (October 7, 2023). In 2018, ATF…
TFA Joins GOA in Amicus Brief to Supreme Court in challenge to part of the 1968 Gun Control Act
Tennessee Firearms Association joined Gun Owners of America and other entities in an amicus brief that was filed with the United States Supreme Court on October 4, 2023, in the case of United States v. Rahimi, No 22-915. Rahimi had been charged with and convicted of violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8), which prohibits an individual…