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…
Tennessee Court of Appeals to hear oral arguments regarding the Covenant Shooter “Manifesto” case
Tennessee Firearms Association is one of the parties that has 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. These “open records” lawsuits are typically resolved quickly and normally involve the individual or entity…
Federal District Court in Texas issues injunction against ATF and its enforcement of its rule against “force reset triggers” in 5th Circuit
On October 7, 2023, Judge O’Connor in the Northern District of Texas granted an injunction against the ATF prohibiting it in certain means from enforcing its “force reset trigger” rule. See, National Association for Gun Rights, Inc., et al. v. Merrick Garland, et al. N. D. Texas, No. 4:23-cv-00830-O (October 7, 2023). In 2018, ATF…
TFA Joins GOA in Amicus Brief to Supreme Court in challenge to part of the 1968 Gun Control Act
Tennessee Firearms Association joined Gun Owners of America and other entities in an amicus brief that was filed with the United States Supreme Court on October 4, 2023, in the case of United States v. Rahimi, No 22-915. Rahimi had been charged with and convicted of violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8), which prohibits an individual…
Is the Tennessee “intent to go armed ” clause or Article 1 § 26 of the TN Constitution unconstitutional?
Is the “intent to go armed clause” of our Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1307 (a) (1) or Article 1 Section 26 of the Tennessee Constitution unconstitutional? Let’s look at the facts and dive in. From the case, Moorfield v. State , Supreme Court of Tennessee decision from 1880. The case arose from a situation where…
Extreme caution appropriate when considering support of a new “advocacy” group that appeared suddenly in Tennessee.
In 2023, shortly after the Covenant School murders, a new entity suddenly appeared in Tennessee claiming to support the interests of Second Amendment advocates. While there are many entities and activists working to advance and protect Second Amendment rights, you should not assume that every entity claiming to be a Second Amendment organization is automatically…
Governor Bill Lee files answer to lawsuit that indicates he supports prohibiting gun owners from carrying self-defense arms in public parks and greenways.
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 and also against Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti in his official capacity. See, Stephen L. Hughes,…
Separation of Powers in Tennessee Government
For those of you who have not taken the time to read, or study the Tennessee Constitution, (inside or outside of the General Assembly, much less the media), there are a few passages that are very important to understand the proper functioning of a constitutional republic. These passages also shed light on the certain problems…
GOA’s Erich Pratt addresses joint efforts by TFA and GOA to fight for 2nd Amendment rights
Erich Pratt, Senior Vice President for Gun Owners of America, spoke for a second year in a row at the Tennessee Firearms Association Legislative Action Committee (TFALAC) 2023 Annual Event. Mr. Pratt discusses the working relationship of GOA and TFA in the battle in Tennessee, nationally and in the courts to restore and protect the…