Tennessee’s Special Legislative Session Addresses Gun Violence
What do you think of Gov. Lee's proposal?
What's the story?
- Gov. Bill Lee called Tennessee lawmakers back to the state Capital to start a special session today to address gun violence.
- The governor ordered the special session in the wake of The Covenant School shooting in Nashville in March, which killed six, including two close friends of Lee and his family.
- While Lee is driving efforts to protect students and teachers, almost every Republican opposes his proposals.
After the Nashville shooting
- After the mass shooting at Nashville's Covenant School, the governor summoned millions of dollars to strengthen school security, which Republicans largely approved. Following this, Lee asked for an order of protection law to restrict an individual's access to firearms temporarily. He received no support from the legislature.
- Today, lawmakers will begin considering a lesser version of the law. Many expect Lee's proposal to fail as the Republican supermajority will likely not approve any legislation potentially infringing on gun ownership.
Lee's proposal
- Lee proposed legislation allowing a judge to temporarily remove guns from those showing signs of possibly violent behavior, similar to a "red flag law." When introducing the bill, Lee said:
"I'm asking the legislature to bring forth thoughtful, practical measures. To strengthen our laws, to separate those dangerous people from firearms, while at the same time preserving the constitutional rights of the people of this state."
- Analysts said Lee kept his law vague enough to persuade Republican lawmakers, but many are pessimistic about it being successful. Democrats, on the other hand, are criticizing Lee for not making the law strict enough.
Other bills filed for the special session
- Other proposals include creating a Class E felony for reckless handling or discharge of firearms in a motor vehicle; requiring the Department of Safety to provide firearm locks; encouraging gun owners to store guns safely in locked compartments; establishing a process to implement a mental health order of protection on a potentially dangerous person; increasing the penalty for failing to lock up a firearm safely, and more.
- Various laws around coercing a minor with a firearm or to use a firearm will also be considered.
What they're saying
- House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Tenn.) said:
"Everybody wants to keep focusing on the gun, but there's a lot of other things out there that we think that we should do and can do that would be very beneficial. The issue is the person. A lot of times we want to focus on the weapon, but we need to focus on the person."
- John Harris, executive director of the Tennessee Firearms Association, said:
"Governor Lee has made no effort, publicly or otherwise, we're aware of to try to show that what he's proposing meets the standard that the Supreme Court has established, at least with respect to the Second Amendment proposals."
- Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Tenn.) criticized Republican lawmakers for their response to the proposal:
"Not only do they not care enough to actually have an adult conversation about it, clearly, they're going to try to use it as a tool or a vehicle to sneak through a whole bunch of other crappy stuff in three days."
- Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari (D-Tenn.) said:
"Tennesseans from all walks of life have made it clear: They want lawmakers to work together passing reforms that save children's lives by preventing gun violence before it happens."
What do you think of Gov. Lee's proposal?
-Jamie Epstein
(Photo credit: Flickr/Bill Lee)
The Latest
-
Women Are Shaping This Election — Why Is the Media Missing It?As we reflect on the media coverage of this election season, it’s clear that mainstream outlets have zeroed in on the usual read more... Elections -
Your Share of the National Debt is ... $105,000The big picture: The U.S. federal deficit for fiscal year 2024 hit a staggering $1.8 trillion, according to the Congressional read more... Deficits & Debt -
Election News: Second Trump Assassination Attempt, and Poll UpdatesElection Day is 6 weeks away. Here's what's going on in the polls and the presidential candidates' campaigns. September 24 , read more... Congress Shenanigans -
More Women Face Pregnancy-Related Charges After Roe’s Fall, Report FindsWhat’s the story? A report released by Pregnancy Justice, a women's health advocacy group, found that women have been read more... Advocacy
Climate & Consumption
Health & Hunger
Politics & Policy
Safety & Security
This is a bandaid at best, but still needs to be done. What is needed in the long run is a reduction of guns on our streets. Every other country in the world has the same problems we do but no other country has as many guns. So it isn't mental health or any other straw man excuse. The problem with deaths and violence with guns is....GUNS! Guns are the problem. We need to get rid of guns.
Hopefully lawmakers can get some meaningful legislation passed to protect children. I also hope that Tennessee voters also note those who stand in opposition & the vote them out when their term is up! It's time people get representatives that represent!
Step in the right direction by Governor Lee who has been publicly soliciting feedback since May. Sounds like a multi prong approach addressing red flag laws, mental health and proper gun storage but he has tough road ahead as the Tennessee Legislator spent the 1st day creating rules on breaking decorum so they are still trying to shoot the messengers they removed but were reinstated. And the legislators are only the 1st hurdle. Once red flag laws are passed often local sheriffs and mayors ignore them by creating safe havens.
"Governor Bill Lee, a Republican, called the special session and asked lawmakers to bolster so-called "red flag" laws aimed at making it more difficult for people deemed to be a threat to the public or themselves from having access to firearms. He has also called for measures to address mental health and encourage the safe storage of firearms."
"Instead of addressing gun issues on Monday, lawmakers in the House passed new rules creating tougher penalties for lawmakers who break decorum rules while speaking on the House floor."
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/politics/red-flag-laws-get-little-use-even-as-mass-shootings-gun-deaths-soar
https://www.tn.gov/governor/news/2023/5/8/gov--lee-announces-special-session-on-public-safety-to-begin-august-21.html
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/tennessee-lawmakers-open-special-session-wake-school-shooting-2023-08-22/
DIOTS! Fools. Slaves to the NRA don't want gun violence to end.cis
Freedom Caucus is a Nazi organization!, headed by Biggs/ Gosar of Az. is unAmerican! They belong in Jail!
Blacks and Drugs are 95% of the problem.
It's a start, but far from sufficient. However, with the idiots in the TN legislators anything stronger would not pass and it's a toss-up if this watered down proposal will pass. Republicans just seem to love to kill off their voters.
70 % of the people who gave an opinion on this subject
gave a positive support of controlling guns for people considered potentially harmful. Removing guns to make things safer when deemed necessary.
Yes!!
They will have to do a lot of catching up and getting all the people who value guns, rather than providing some protection from them, on board before meaning ful measures can de implemented.
It is a start though.
In know in this group my comment will upset many of you. The problem isn't guns. The problem is this country has turned away from God. Years ago schools not only had prayers they also taught gun safety courses. Back then we didn't have these mass shootings. When they removed God from the schools was the beginning of the problem. Instead of focusing on guns start focusing on God and mental health issues. Instead of pushing hate and anger , praying violence like the government and media has done with all the rioting lets start spreading love and acceptance of each other. Look around you God is sending us signs to turn back to Him. All the fires, storms, droughts, famine, floods. Wake up
Red flag laws to prevent gun violence is a great idea. Please make it happen to stop more death.
It's a start.
Anything's better than nothing.
I'm always reminded that part of being a Republican is not caring about an issue that helps people until it affects you personally. I'm hoping the excessive heat throughout the country finally gets them to consider maybe doing something about the environment.
And with regard to the 2nd Amendment, the Supreme Court has noted that every Amdendment in the Bill of Rights has some form of restriction. Despite the 1st Amdenment, there are some things you cannot print. So limits on the 2nd aren't definitively unconstitutional.
Blaming guns as if the guns have live of its own is, to me, ridiculous.
Instead do this like the car; regulate BOTH: gun and persons. War weapons have no place for America. Regulate what kind of guns/rifles are permitted. Regulate type of ammo; bullets that can pierce thru steel should be forbidden.
Now on people? Regulate them, too. Set age limit on pistol and rifles. Pistol maybe 18 or older, and rifle maybe 15 as many do go duck/deer/quali hunting - I did when I was mere 12 years old - maybe too young to go hunting? Require ALL take lessons - minimum 3 days or more. Learn how to take them apart, clean, and put them back (increases safety). Take shooting lessons and understand what "line of sight" means. Understand what kind of ammunition is right and not. At least 4 hours or more on anger management.
That is the sensible approach.
Enough of the killings of children, and people that are happening now.
Minimal, but a start...
CAUSES TELLS ME, THEN ASKS: "Gov. Bill Lee called Tennessee lawmakers back for a special session yesterday to address gun violence in the wake of The Covenant School shooting, which killed six, including two close friends of Lee and his family. Lee wants to impose a form of "red flag laws."What do you think of Gov. Lee's proposal?" ME: I'm somewhere between some admiration for Don Quixote Lee and apathy since he hasn't a chance in hell of knocking the wind out of the MAGAGOP's gun-protected windmill's sails. Sad. The GOP values guns far more than it does children's lives... I also note that these blowhards kicked the public out of the hearing. Figures.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/gop-led-tennessee-legislature-orders-removal-of-public-from-gun-control-hearing
This Red Flag Law is too little, too late and it won't even pass through the state legislature.
Gun Safety Laws are forbidden by the Gun Manufacturers who have bought republican state legislators...
This is happening all across the country --not just in Tennesse.
Somewhere!
Somewhere
A crying mother sobs
Clutching tear stained clothes
That belonged to her child
Gasping
Longing for their smell of innocence
And familiarity
Somewhere
A cold politician
Speaks hollow words
Rehearsed And empty
They stand in stiff gray
suits
With a practiced expression And shuffle away as soon as
Lurched over the edge of a twin sized bed
Heaving, barely breathing
She comes up for air
Dried tears
Stiffen her skin
acceptable
Into private rooms
Filled with other
Stiff gray suits
So cold
They toast
To their wealth
People fill every room
Their prominence
And line the streets
Their power
But she hears nothing
As they pat their pockets
A deafening silence roars
Bulging with money stained
Before the flood of pain
With blood
returns again
Her mouth agape
Her eyes staring into
Somewhere
A crying mother sobs.
forever
A new sob begins in her belly
And takes an eternity to reach her lips
for Covenant
But Republicans don't care
Lindsey Dye
March 27,2023
I am sick to death of the GOP saying that we shouldn't focus on the gun, we should focus on the person, when one of the very first things (if not THE first thing) Congress did under the Trump administration was make it easier for people with mental health issues to get guns!
Red flag laws can save lives. They are a must to protect people.
It's better than nothing.
well, it's better than nothing and a start. the question is whether it will be passed and then be continued through future republican administrations.
Red flag laws violate the 4th, 5th, and 10th Amendments. All politicians need to follow the Constitution,
Nice first step. Too bad it took death "close to home" to wake him up. Let's see if any of the legislators need a wake-up call, too.