We started 2023’s legislative session with optimism that the Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, in which the Court struck down a New York handgun permit law as violating the Second Amendment, would lead to numerous improvements to Tennessee law as existing statutes would have to be modified…
Rep. Johnny Garrett, Tennessee House Republican Caucus Whip, discusses Governor Lee’s Special Session and Red Flag laws with TFA
Tennessee House Republican Johnny Garret, House District 45 and the House Majority Caucus Whip, discusses Governor Bill Lee’s proposed Special Session and proposed Red Flag laws with Tennessee Firearms Association. We are working to schedule other House and Senate members, anyone who is interested, to speak to Tennesseans about these issues. Rep. Garrett expresses his…
New Tennessee survey reflects most voters disagree with Bill Lee’s proposed Red Flag law.
A recent survey of Tennessee voters shows that once Tennesseans are told the truth about what Governor Bill Lee’s proposed “Red Flag” (also rebranded by some as a “temporary mental health order of protection”) actual does and does not do the voters’ support of a Red Flag law drops substantially. The summary of the survey…
Third Circuit Court of Appeals rules ATF cannot deny purchase for individual with nonviolent conviction
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals, in an en banc ruling, released a blistering opinion on June 6, 2023, in which it admonished the ATF for denying a firearms purchase to an individual with a non-violent conviction that was punishable under state law by more than one year. This is yet another circumstance of a…
The Red Flag special session poses a constitutional problem for legislators
Governor Bill Lee, who identifies as a Republican, has called for a Red Flag style law to be passed in Tennessee since shortly after the Covenant School murders. In addition, some legislators, who also identify as Republicans, have expressed open support for a red flag law including Lt. Governor Randy McNally. When the Republican controlled…
Gun Control advocates planning mayhem for Lee’s gun control special session
On May 16, 2023, WTN 99.7 FM’s Brian Wilson reviews snips of an approximate 2 hour training session by gun control advocates, including apparently trainers for Planned Parenthood, who are training disruptors for the upcoming special session that Governor Lee has called to enact gun control in Tennessee. Part of the training included a discussion…
Bill Lee’s insistence on a Red Flag special session – a potential benefit
In April 2023, Bill Lee proposed a “Red Flag” law in Tennessee. He tries to, in the concerning words of Senator Jack Johnson, “rebrand” it as a “temporary mental health order of protection” but it is simply a Red Flag law. This is not at all surprising from a Governor who identifies as a Republican…
Bill Lee calls Red Flag special legislative session for August 21, 2023
On May 8, 2023, Governor Bill Lee’s office issued a statement that “he will call for the Tennessee General Assembly to convene a special legislative session on August 21, 2023, to strengthen public safety and preserve constitutional rights.” He has also asked for the public to leave comments about his Red Flag Special Session on…
James Hammond and Tennessee Firearms Association file open records lawsuit over Covenant School manifesto
On May 1, 2023, James Hammond, former sheriff for Hamilton County, Tennessee, and the Tennessee Firearms Association, in cooperation with Judicial Watch, filed a lawsuit in the Chancery Court of Tennessee, Davidson County, against the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (“Metro”). In the lawsuit, the parties ask for a court order to force…
Bill Lee attacks the Second Amendment with a Red Flag proposal
Governor Bill Lee called on the Tennessee Legislature to pass a Red Flag law – one that he proposed – before the 2023 Legislative session ended. The Legislators did not consider his proposal but instead they wrapped up business – they thought – and adjourned until January 2024. Governor Lee, apparently thinking of himself as…