On February 28, 2023, Rep. John Ragan presented House Bill 1385 to the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. The objective of the bill was set forth in a single 4 line paragraph – it was to establish a statutory definition of the ambiguous phrase found in Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-1307(a)(1) (and other places) – “with intent to go armed”. The proposed amendment would define the term as meaning “carrying or wearing a weapon with premeditation and forethought to commit an infamous crime and does not include inadvertent or unintentional intrusion into an area where such weapon is not permitted.”
Elizabeth Stroecker, a taxpayer paid attorney in the Tennessee Department of Safety, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Stroecker opposed the bill on the grounds that the amendment would eliminate the ability of law enforcement to stop or charge people for carrying a firearm unless the officer could show a reasonable grounds to believe that the person was carrying with the intent to commit a crime.
Patrick Powell spoke for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. He objected because the amendment would make it hard for law enforcement to stop someone who might be carrying a firearm unless the officer could prove that the person was going to commit a crime.
A representative also spoke on behalf of the Tennessee Sheriffs Association and the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police. He stated on behalf of his clients that they also opposed the bill because the amendment would require the law enforcement officers to be able to show that the individual had an intent to a commit a crime rather than merely being in possession of a firearm before they could be stopped.
Chairman Bud Hulsey spoke in favor the bill. He felt that there was a constitutional right to carry a firearm and that the offense should only exist if there was an intent to commit a crime.
The testimony of these individuals, two of whom are paid by taxpayers to represent Bill Lee’s administration, shows clearly that they and his administration are opposing a change in the law that would lead to the result that a) it is not a crime for a person to carry a firearm in public with the intent to go armed but b) it is a crime for someone to use a firearm to commit a violent crime.
There are a couple of problems with this situation.
First, the United States Supreme Court’s opinion in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen has held that a state cannot constitutionally prohibit a citizen from carrying a firearm in public. While Bruen did recognize that there might be permissible restrictions such as on carrying in a “sensitive place”, which the Court at this point has not resolved in a specific holding. What the Court made clear is that a state is constitutionally prohibited from doing what Tennessee does, that is, making it a crime for anyone to carry a firearm anywhere absent a showing by the state that the issue is one that was subjection to the national historical tradition of regulation as of 1791. Thus, under Bruen Tennessee’s “intent to go armed” clause is unconstitutional under the 2nd and 14th Amendments.
Second, there is a problem which Rep. Chris Todd addressed in a committee hearing just a week ago in a discussion with Ms. Stroecker concerning House bill 1005 – that is the question of what constitutional or statutory authority do taxpayer funded individuals from the administrative have to show up in the legislative branch to lecture elected legislators on what the administration thinks public policy should be. These taxpayer funded employees of the administration may or may not take a oath of office to defend the constitution – but their boss, Governor Bill Lee does. How and why are these individuals and his administration – all of whom are in the executive branch of government – showing up to lecture legislators on what the administration thinks that a separate branch of government – the legislature – should or should not do as public policy. Further, where do these taxpayer funded administrative employees have the authority to lecture the legislature in a manner suggesting that they knowingly and intentionally disregard a Supreme Court decision?
TFA members should reach out and thank Rep. John Ragan and Rep. Bud Hulsey for taking this path and at least attempting to bring Tennessee’s statutes into compliance with the Supreme Court’s Bruen ruling. TFA members should also consider reaching out to Governor Bill Lee to discuss why his administration’s representatives are openly opposing their constitutional rights.
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