On December 7, 2023, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti joined attorney generals from the States of Kansas, Iowa, Montana, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming, and the Arizona State Legislature in opposing the…
Rep. Bryan Richey (R) proposes allowing hunting over bait on privately owned land.
Tennessee Republican House Member Bryan Richey, who represents part of Blount County, has filed a bill which would allow hunting over “bait” on privately owned land, but not on public lands. His legislation, House Bill 1618, provides: SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 70-4-113(a), is amended by deleting subsection (a) and substituting: (a) Except as…
TFA, TFF, GOA and VCDL file joint comments to oppose ATF’s proposed “engaged in business” rule
On September 8, 2023, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) published a “Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” in the Federal Register, entitled “Definition of Engaged in the Business as a Dealer in Firearms,” 2022R-17, 88 FR 61993 (“NPRM”). ATF sought public comment on its proposal by December 7, 2023. TFA coordinated with Gun…
Gun owners need to be prepared to demand that Legislators demonstrate a “Bruen Basis” for their legislative proposals.
The Tennessee 2024 Legislative Session starts in January. Already, some bad bills have been filed and more are certain to come. Likewise, Tennessee Firearms Association is talking with some Legislators, those who have either proven their Second Amendment support or who are at least willing to discuss the issue, about pro-Second Amendment legislation. To be…
Court of Appeals rules that the Covenant parties can intervene in the “Manifesto” case.
Tennessee Firearms Association is one of the parties that sued the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County to obtain access under Tennessee “Open Records” law to the writings and materials seized from and related to the Covenant Shooter including whatever documents Metro officials have publicly referred to as a “Manifesto.” These “open records” lawsuits…
Red Flag Down – 2024 Legislative Watch
In 2023, citizens across Tennessee who are interested in protecting our individual civil rights from unconstitutional government infringements moved forward with a load voice in the Red Flag Down campaign by the Tennessee Firearms Association to defeat an attempt by Governor Lee and some Republican legislators to push a “red flag” or “mental health order…
Litigation challenge to Tennessee’s “parks” statute – update.
On February 16, 2023, a lawsuit was filed by Stephen L. Hughes, Duncan O’Mara, Elaine Kehel, Gun Owners of America, Inc., and Gun Owners Foundation against Bill Lee, in his official capacity as the governor of the state of Tennessee. See, Stephen L. Hughes, et al., v. Bill Lee, Chancery Court for the 28th Judicial…
Rep. Ryan Williams initiates 2024 attack on 2nd Amendment rights.
Rep. Ryan Williams (R.) who represents part of Putnam County has already filed 2 bills that could be heard in the 2024 Legislative session. These are House Bill 1599 and House Bill 1600. Both of the bills would directly impact the rights that are protected by the Second Amendment which are applicable to those in…
The Charge to the Tennessee General Assembly with respect to 2nd Amendment issues and the General Assembly’s constitutional failure.
The Supreme Court of the United States incorporated the 2nd Amendment against the states through the due process clause of the 14th Amendment in the McDonald v. City of Chicago case in 2010. The Tennessee General Assembly, as a whole, has never recognized that the 2nd was made a Civil Right by that action. Let…
A Tennessee tradition of carrying arms for “lawful purposes”
The tradition of Tennesseans to keep and bear arms for “lawful purposes” preexists the founding of this state and the ratification of our Constitution and Declaration of Rights. This right comes from God, not from Government! “Nolichucky Jack” first governor of Tennessee, known to many as John Sevier, mortgaged his farm and property in 1780…