Tennessee Firearms Association started working with state legislators in 1995. At that time, the Tennessee Legislature was in the total control of Democrats in both the House and the Senate. At that time, the chairmen of the respective Judiciary committees were rural, seasoned trial attorneys who, frankly, worked with Tennessee Firearms Association on some of…
Author Archives: JohnHarris
TWRA argues to Court of Appeals that it can search private land at any time without a warrant
In a case working its way through the Tennessee Court of Appeals, the issue is whether and to what extent the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency can enter a person’s real property at any time without a warrant if it suspects that any hunting activities are taking or have taken place in the past. A state…
WTN’s Brian Wilson’s interview with Speaker Cameron Sexton about 2023 firearms legislation in Tennessee
On Friday, December 16, 2022, WTN’s (FM 99.7 Nashville) Brian Wilson interviewed Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton about possible Second Amendment related Tennessee legislation in 2023. Among various topics, they briefly discussed the fact that Tennessee still does not have REAL constitutional carry and the possibility that legislation to enact real constitutional carry in Tennessee…
Is there constitutional authority of the TN Governor to use taxpayer funds to lobby the legislature against your constitutional rights?
The Tennessee Constitution, like the federal constitution, establishes three branches of government. The legislative branch is elected by the people to represent their interests in the crafting of the state’s public policies. Although the state constitution also provides for the office of governor, that office is not one of a “ruler”. The office of governor,…
The Tennessee oath of office of elected officials and why it is important
Tennessee’s constitution requires that elected officials, including the governor, the legislators, judges and local officials take an oath of office. That oath imposes on these individuals an affirmative duty to protect and defend the rights of individuals as protected by the constitutions of the state or the United States. Those rights include the rights that…
TFA comment on federal case holding part of Gun Control Act unconstitutional
In November 2022, a federal district court in Texas was asked to dismiss a federal criminal charge against an individual who had been arrested for being in possession of a handgun but who had an order of protection against him. Under federal law, a part of the Gun Control Act, the pending order of protection…
Federal District Court Rules “prohibited person” status due to order of protection is unconstitutional
A federal district court in Texas has concluded that a federal statute, part of the 1968 Gun Control Act, which makes it a felony for an individual who has an order of protection issued against them is prohibited from possessing a firearm, is unconstitutional. See, U.S. v. Perez-Gallan, Case: 22-CR-00427-DC (W.D. Texas, Nov 11, 2022).…
Federal Court proceedings indicate possible 2nd Amendment occurrence may be coming in Tennessee
Developments in the federal case of Beeler v. Skrmetti that is pending in east Tennessee (Case No: 3:21-cv-152) indicate that something very significant in the 2nd Amendment context may soon occur in Tennessee. Those developments, once they are public, may indicate that several Tennessee statutes, including several passed in the last 12 years by the…
Tennessee does not have REAL Constitutional Carry – the talking points.
We are in early voting in Tennessee and there are lots of individuals running for governor and the state Legislature. Many of them, including incumbents, are claiming that a) they are 2nd Amendment supporters and b) that they voted for “constitutional carry”.Before you vote, know the truth. The truth is Tennessee has NEVER had real…
Federal Court Rules that federal law making it a crime to possess a firearm with an obliterated serial number is unconstitutional
On October 12, 2022, a federal district court in West Virginia ruled that a federal law which makes it a crime to possess a firearm with an altered, obliterated or removed serial number is unconstitutional under prohibition contained in the Second Amendment. The decision was entered in United States of America v. Randy Price, No:…