This has been an important & difficult week for our state – but we have reasons to be hopeful.
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) August 29, 2023
Public safety matters to every Tennessean. Despite sharp disagreements, we took real steps to protect our communities & elevated a conversation about public safety that will continue. pic.twitter.com/1Oq5pHKSF6
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Tennessee Red Flag Law Defeated
In a significant Second Amendment win this week, the Tennessee General Assembly concluded its special session without passing any new red-flag legislation.
Republican Governor Bill Lee initiated this session, responding to an earlier shooting at a Nashville elementary school.
Observers expressed concerns that the dominant Republican legislature might approve red-flag gun confiscation laws, similar to Florida’s response after the 2018 Broward County school shooting.
However, thanks to robust grassroots efforts by Gun Owners of America (GOA) and its numerous Tennessee members, state lawmakers decisively dismissed the proposed gun control measures.
The governor’s push for these restrictions also met staunch resistance.
Comment from GOA
Jordan Stein, GOA’s Southeast Region Director, celebrated the news:
“Gun owners can rejoice as Governor Bill ‘Lousy Lee’s’ special session ended without passing red-flag gun confiscation. Lousy Lee’s strong effort to enact such radical Second Amendment infringements to the Volunteer State has utterly failed,” he said.
“GOA will be ready for the next session in January, not only to beat back calls for more gun control, but also to advocate for ending gun-free school zones and passing true Constitutional Carry,” he continued.
Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, chimed in, “This was a great victory for the Second Amendment, and it was even more encouraging because our grassroots activism was able to bluntly stop this emotionally charged legislation before it ever became law.”
Pratt added, “These are the best victories!”
What Are Red Flag Laws?
Red flag laws allow governments to seize firearms from individuals accused — not convicted — of being a danger to themselves or others. They exclusively target firearm confiscation. They do not address other potential weapons.
Red-flagged individuals, whether homicidal or suicidal, can still access various means: knives, cars, ropes, or toxic chemicals, for instance.
Notably, in 2021, knives and cutting instruments resulted in more deaths than rifles, according to Statista Research Dept. In essence, red flag laws are not a foolproof barrier against those with violent intentions.
SEE ALSO: SAF Sues Maryland Over Controversial ‘Red Flag’ Law
Critics also question the constitutionality of these laws.
They argue against the absence of proper due process, the reliance on judges to make speculative decisions about a person’s potential for violence, and the failure of authorities to commit or incarcerate individuals who are truly dangerous.
In 2022, Congress authorized federal funding to aid states in adopting these laws, ostensibly with due process standards for grant eligibility.
Yet, the NRA-ILA claims enforcement of these standards is lax. New York’s red flag law serves as a case in point. Despite being deemed unconstitutional in two separate court decisions, the state received over $13 million in federal support for the law.
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In the end, while red flag laws may seem like a proactive approach to curb violence, their efficacy and constitutionality are highly suspect.
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This reeks of Biden quid pro quo all over again. Just like in Ukraine when he said the investigator must be fired that was investigating Hunter or else Ukraine would not receive a penny of the billions promised, days after the Nashville school shooting Biden sent Harris to Tennessee to confront Lee about passing a red flag law in TN or else face reduced federal funding to the state. Only God knows what else they threated Lee with (or promised).
Initially after the shooting, Lee hadn’t considered a red flag law (that anybody knew of), but immediately after the departure of Harris, Lee called for a red flag law. As soon as he did, all the pro-gun control worms started crawling out of the closet and adding their two cents into legislative anti-2A proposals. This administration is totally out of control and out of touch with the American Republic ideology.
OH NOOooo………the streets are going to run red with blood……….