Second Amendment excuses for federal civil rights violations?

On January 23, 2023, the State of Tennessee, under the leadership of Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, entered into an agreed order which concluded that laws enacted by the Tennessee Legislature, under a Republican super-majority, constitute an unconstitutional “scheme” that had the effect of denying 18-20 year olds the opportunity to get a handgun permit or…

Tennessee’s ban on 18-20 year olds obtaining handgun permits declared unconstitutional

On January 23, 2023, an agreed order was filed in the federal case styled Beeler v. Long, U.S. District E.D. TN 3:21-cv152 (opinion included below) in which the Tennessee Attorney General agreed with the Plaintiffs that Tennessee’s ban on 18-20 year olds to get handgun permits was unconstitutional. In 2021, Governor Bill Lee pushed an…

The inconvenient recent history of Tennessee’s gun laws and the problem of incrementalism

We often hear elected officials, particularly members of the Republican party, talking about how certain things, specifically restoring gun rights, often requires an incremental approach. See statement by Senate Judiciary Chair Mike Bell (3/2/21).  But, there is also evidence that the history of the Republican control of the General Assembly starting in 2007 shows increasing…

Should an individual be required to prove they are entitled to exercise the rights protected by the Second Amendment?

Tennessee law makes in a crime for anyone to carry a firearm “with the intent to go armed.” Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-1307(a)(1). The fact is, because of this statute, the Legislature has defined the entire state as a gun free zone, including all personally owned real property. The fact that your home, your farm,…

Will Tennessee’s GOP Legislature finally honor the Second Amendment in 2023?

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…

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,…