Tennesseans must treat HB1971 by Rep. Andrew Farmer (SB 1958 by Sen. John Stevens) as a serious constitutional threat. This proposal would repeal an existing law that expressly allows citizens to challenge the constitutionality of state statutes BEFORE they are arrested, convicted or otherwise harmed by the state law. This is not a mere technical procedural revision as…
Author Archives: JohnHarris
SB1958 / HB1971 — A Nefarious Attempt to Place Legislative Power Beyond Constitutional Accountability
Every generation of Tennesseans, indeed every generation of Americans, inherits the same fragile system of government: a constitutional republic built on limited governmental authority, divided powers, enforceable rights, and the rule of law. That system does not sustain itself automatically. It survives only so long as each branch of government and each individual government official…
SB1958 / HB1971: Why This Bill Matters to Every Tennessean and Why the Senate Sponsor is wrong
Certain Tennessee legislators, apparently entirely individuals who identify as Republicans, are advancing SB1958 / HB1971 (Senate Sponsor John Stevens and House Sponsor Andrew Farmer) — a proposal with consequences that reach far beyond ordinary policy debates. These Republicans are attacking your rights, not working as their oaths require to protect and preserve your rights. [Note:…
TFA Legislative Alert: Republican Supporters of SB 1958 / HB 1971 seek to narrow (and in key areas eliminate) the right of Tennesseans to challenge unconstitutional state action
Tennessee Republican Legislators are rushing to repeal a statute that expressly authorizes citizens to ask a court to rule on the constitutionality of state statutes without demonstrating that the statute has been enforced against them. These Republican legislators, most of whom are in leadership, are trying to repeal existing law with a significantly narrowed law…
Urgent Call to Action: Protect Your Right to Challenge Unconstitutional Laws
– Legislative Republicans trying to block rights of citizens to bring constitutional challenges to state statutes! Tennessee State Senator John Stevens and House Member Andrew Farmer are pushing a bill that would gut the constitutional rights of citizens to challenge or even question the constitutionality of state statutes. They are pushing Senate Bill 1958 /…
Major Victory in the Covenant Manifesto Appeal
On February 4, 2026, a unanimous Tennessee Appellate Court substantially overruled much of the trial court’s ruling which had blocked public access to the records obtained by the Metropolitan Police Department with respect to the Covenant School murders in March 2023. Opinion. Tennessee Firearms Association and Chief James Hammond (retired) working with Judicial Watch sued…
Approaching Winter Storm in Tennessee: Urgent Reminder on Property Defense Laws, Castle Doctrine Limitations, and the Push for Stand Your Ground Expansion
As Tennessee prepares for a severe winter storm system arriving this weekend, January 23–25, 2026, the Tennessee Firearms Association urges all Tennesseans—especially our members—to stay informed, prepared, and aware of the serious legal restrictions that still govern the defense of your home, business, and property. The National Weather Service is forecasting heavy snowfall of a…
Harmeet Dhillon, Civil Rights Division DOJ, discusses pending cases supporting 2nd Amendment rights
Harmeet K. Dhillon is the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice. President Donald Trump nominated her in December 2024 and she was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 3, 2025, and sworn in as AAG by Attorney General Pam Bondi on April 7, 2025. Under her, the DOJ’s…
Is uncompromising defense of the 2nd Amendment “too toxic?”
Some legislators in Nashville—yes, even a few who campaigned as “pro-Second Amendment”—are now not only whispering but are publicly stating that the Tennessee Firearms Association and its leadership are “too toxic.” Why? Because we’ve dared to hold them accountable to their oath of office and their promises to you. Let’s be clear: terms like “toxic” are…
TN Court of Appeals issues “stay” of the Hughes v. Lee ruling
On September 30, 2025, the Tennessee Court of Appeals issued a “stay” in the appeal by Governor Bill Lee and Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti of the three-judge panel’s ruling which declared two of Tennessee’s gun control statutes unconstitutional. The ruling leaves the status of Tennessee law in confusion since the trial court had declared these…