There is no factual basis to conclude that Tennessee’s existing laws comply with the Second Amendment which mandates that these rights “shall not be infringed.”
Indeed, after the United States Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen in June 2022, there is a serious constitutional question that leads to the inescapable conclusion that many of Tennessee’s existing laws, regulations, orders and ordinances are clear violations of the Second Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment and constitute a knowing federal civil rights violation. The Supreme Court clearly placed an affirmative burden on the government entities to show that every existing or proposed infringement of the rights protected by the Second Amendment are a category of restriction that existed in 1791
Tennessee has already been sued in federal court to challenge unconstitutional statutory restrictions that portend to prohibit 18 to 20 year olds from being issued handgun permits or carrying under Tennessee’s poorly structured “permitless carry” law. The State of Tennessee entered into a federal court approved settlement agreement in that litigation which prohibits the Department of Safety from denying handgun permits because someone is between the ages of 18 and 21.
Unfortunately, the Tennessee Legislature failed to take meaningful action in 2022, 2023 or 2024 to deal with the constitutional violations that clearly exist. The Tennessee Legislature not only failed to pass any laws in the last 15 years of Republican super majority control to remove all infringements but they have actually blocked bills that would have done so.
The fact appears quite clear that these Legislators (not all but most) will not remove these unconstitutional state and local infringements unless and until they “feel the heat” from the voters. That is why you must act! You must take action and be involved to make them as politically uncomfortable as possible so that they get the message that they must remove these infringements or risk well funded and qualified challengers in 2026.
Use this TFA provided tool to contact your legislators today!
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