Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
A bill to prevent cities and municipalities in Tennessee from establishing or enforcing red flag gun laws passed in the state Senate on Thursday and is scheduled to be heard in the House Criminal Justice Committee early next week.
Senate Bill 2763 (SB2763) / House Bill 2035 (HB2035) is being sponsored by Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16) in the Senate and Rep. Jody Barrett (R-Dickson-District 69) in the House of Representatives.
The bill’s summary states that it would preempt “the entire field of legislation regarding extreme risk protection orders [ERPOs] to the exclusion of all county, city, town, municipality, or metropolitan government law, ordinances, resolutions, enactments, or regulation.”
The legislation also makes null and void in Tennessee, any federal statute, rule, executive order, or federal judicial order requiring the enforcement of an ERPO.
A Class A misdemeanor offense of “attempting to enforce a federally implemented extreme risk protection order” is also created by this bill.
According to Sen. Bowling, SB2763/HB2035 is a preventative measure in response to potential federal overreach on the issue of gun control.
“The intentions of the [Biden] Administration are clear,” Sen. Bowling explained. “They intend to impose their will on the states through executive fiat to circumvent state legislators and to implement gun control at the local level.”
During Senate proceedings on SB2763, Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis-District 29) stood in opposition of the legislation.
“While Tennessee is one state, we are many counties that range from rural to urban, suburban and we have our own individual needs,” stated Sen. Akbari.
“It is a documented fact that [ERPOs] protect people from those who are a danger to themselves and others,” she continued, “those who should be or have been deemed to be unable to have a weapon because they are at risk of killing themselves or killing other people.”
SB2763 ultimately passed in the Senate on Thursday, April 11th, 2024, by a 22-6 vote.
Republican Senators Bailey, Bowling, Crowe, Gardenhire, Haile, Hensley, Jackson, Johnson, Lowe, Lundberg, Massey, Niceley, Pody, Powers, Roberts, Rose, Southerland, Stevens, Taylor, Watson, White, and Yager voted in favor of the legislation.
Republican Senators Swann and Walley joined Democrat Senators Akbari, Campbell, Oliver, and Yarbro in voting against it.
The corresponding House bill, HB2035, is scheduled for committee consideration next week.
To voice your support or opposition to HB2035, use the information below to contact the members of the House Criminal Justice Committee prior to their scheduled meeting on April 16th, 2024.
Bud Hulsey (R-chair) – rep.bud.hulsey@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2886
John Gillespie (R) – rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-8201
Michele Carringer (R) – rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1721
Elaine Davis (R) – rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2287
Clay Doggett (R) – rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7476
Andrew Farmer (R) – rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4419
Monty Fritts (R) – rep.monty.fritts@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7658
Ronnie Glynn (D) – rep.ronnie.glynn@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2043
G.A. Hardaway (D) – rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-5625
Dan Howell (R) – rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7799
Gloria Johnson (D) – rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2031
William Lamberth (R) – rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1980
Debra O. Moody (R) – rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3774
Lowell Russell (R) – rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3736
Joe Towns, Jr. (D) – rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2189
rep.bud.hulsey@capitol.tn.gov, rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov, rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov, rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov, rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov, rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov, rep.monty.fritts@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ronnie.glynn@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov, rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov, rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee.
You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
