The Tennessee Legislature, which is totally controlled by a super-majority of Republicans from across the state, is starting to wind down for 2019. It is proving once again, without any question, that it is not a caucus that is strong on the 2nd Amendment, transparency or keeping promises. There is still a small amount of…
Author Archives: JohnHarris
The “recall motion” and its critical role in Tennessee
What is a “recall motion” and why is it critical to a constitutional republic? Why is it critical in Tennessee? Over the last week there has been a lot of talk in the Tennessee Legislature about a “recall motion” or a “Rule 63″ motion. That motion is one of the few motions addressed in the…
Legislative Report as of April 12, 2019 and Calendar for Week of April 15
Each week TFA reports on the bills which have had activity during that week and the ones we are expecting to be heard on calendar the following week. The good news is the Legislature is starting to wind down. The honest news is they have really done nothing to remove the infringements on the 2nd…
Bill to allow school employees to carry firearms to be heard April 10 in House and Senate
Same Old Shenanigans – a caption bill that changes its purpose entirely! These should be prohibited House Bill 1380 Senate Bill 1399 was filed with the following description: AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 49, relative to schools. Education – As introduced, requires that the commissioner of education’s annual report…
Legislative Report as of April 5, 2019 and Calendar for week of April 8
Old habits and shenanigans die hard. Conservatives were promised for years prior to 2010 that if we helped the Republicans seize legislative control from the Democrats that they would remove the infringements on our rights as recognized and protected by the Second Amendment. It is now 2019. Have the promises been honored? Conservatives and firearms…
Legislative Update March 29, 2019 and Calendar for week of April 1
We are starting to hear talk that the Tennessee Legislature may adjourn perhaps as early as mid-May, 2019. If so, the next six weeks promise to be really business, full of dirty tricks and overflowing with shenanigans. One of the most watched attacks on our rights is Republican Senator Steve Dickerson’s gun confiscation legislation (Senate…
Urgent!! – Proposed Amendment to “Red Flag” law is even worse!
News started last fall that Tennessee Republican Steve Dickerson (Nashville) would sponsor firearms confiscation legislation (also known as a “Red Flag” law). He did in fact file it with, so far, only Democrat sponsors. (Senate Bill 1178 and House Bill 1446) The original firearms confiscation legislation was a horrible idea from a constitutional rights perspective,…
TFA Legislative update for March 22, 2019 and calendar
The events of this week continue to demonstrate that the Tennessee Legislature, for the 9th year in a row, is not proceeding on a path to protect your rights as guaranteed and protected by the 2nd Amendment or the Tennessee Constitution. SPECIAL NOTICE – the proposed “RED FLAG” law (Senate Bill 1178 and House Bill…
Does Tennessee need TWO handgun permitting systems?
Quite simply, no. What it needs are promises kept. What it needs is for Legislators and our Governor to honor their oaths to the constitutions. There is a bill by Sen. John Stevens and Rep. Andy Holt (SB705 and HB1264) which was filed to create a second type of civilian handgun permit in Tennessee. This…
“Red Flag” laws are not sound constitutional options
There are perhaps several laws pending in Tennessee at present which could be characterized as “Red Flag” laws or extreme risk protection orders. Both of those are descriptions of laws which fundamentally do one thing – infringe a constitutionally protected right Recently, Travis McCarter, an attorney in Sevierville, Tennessee, has written a blog post about…