Category Archives: News

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…

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,…

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…

TFA Legislative Update for March 8, 2019 and calendar

There are several bills which have had activity during the week of March 4, 2019 and which are scheduled to be heard during the week of March 11, 2019. Please see the full PDF reports (links below) for more details. SB594/HB712 this is an important technical fix to the definition of a “firearm” under Tennessee…

TFA bills on Calendar for week of March 4 – including 2nd permit bill

There are several bills at various stages in the General Assembly which are on notice for hearings this week. These include the proposal to create a “concealed only” permit which will cost the taxpayers about $1 million per year and will rename the existing permit as an “enhanced” permit. Significantly, the “amended” fiscal note dated…