TFA focuses on Second Amendment issues in Tennessee. However, TFA also fights for the rights of Tennesseans against the ATF’s abuses of the rights protected by the Second Amendment. Increasingly, as elected Republicans have failed to fully restore the rights protected under the Second Amendment by government abuses (mainly abuses of the legislative and administrative branches) TFA has joined other organizations, like Gun Owners of America and grassroots groups in other states, in state and federal litigation to seek injunctions from the courts against these governmental abuses.
So, some may ask, what has TFA and the Tennessee Firearms Foundation (a public interest charity) been doing in the courts in 2024? That is a fair question. Here are some of the cases in which TFA and TFF have been involved as an party, as an amicus, and otherwise:
Smith and Wesson Brands v. Mexico No. 23-1141, SCOTUS Dec 3 2024 (Lawful Commerce in Arms Act defense to Mexico’s claims)
Maryland Shall Issue Inc. V. Moore No 24-373, SCOTUS Nov 1 2024 (Maryland handgun licensing law)
Cooper v. US No. 24-5381, SCOTUS Oct 15 2024 (Terry stops)
Snope v. Brown No. 24-202, SCOTUS September 23, 2024 (Maryland Firearms Safety Act)
Michelle Nguyen v. Rob Bonta, No. 24-2036 9th Cir (regarding Calif 1 gun a month)
Texas, et al. V. BATF, No 24-10612 5th Cir (appeal by ATF from district court injunction against “engaged in business rule”)
Texas, et al. v. BATF, No: 2:24-cv-00089-Z, Northern District of Texas (TFA as a named Plaintiff challenging ATF’s “engaged in business rule”)
Trump v. United States No. 23-939, SCOTUS, March 19, 2024 (regarding presidential immunity)
US v. Abbot, No. 24-50149 (5th Cir. March 13, 2024) (regarding right of states to oppose illegal immigrants within their borders)
Maryland Shall Issue, Inc., et al v. Wes Moore, governor of Maryland, No. 21-2017 (4th Cir. March 1, 2024)(challenge to Maryland handgun permit requirement)
US v. Abbott, No. 23-50632 (5th Cir. Feb 23, 2024) (regarding right of states to oppose illegal immigrants within their borders)
Murphy v. Missouri, No. 23-411 SCOTUS, February 9, 2024, (enterprise censorship)
Fischer v. United States, No. 23-5572 SCOTUS, February 5, 2024 (January 6 2020 detainees)
Garland v. Cargill, No: 22-976 SCOTUS Jan 29, 2024 (appeal by ATF from 5th Cir. decision which had held ATF’s bumpstock regulation unconstitutional – SCOTUS struck down bumpstock regulation)
Trump v. Anderson, No 23-719 SCOTUS Jan 18, 2024 (federal presidential ballot access and 14th Amendment)
NRA v. Vullo, No. 22-842 SCOTUS (Jan 16, 2024) (NY attacking 2nd Amendment by issuing notices to lenders and insurance companies)
In addition, TFA has recently filed a lawsuit against the City of Memphis over its unconstitutional ordinance amendments that are set to take effect January 1, 2025.
TFA’s participation in each of these cases carried substantial cost but our involvement is critical to pursue the mission of fully restoring the protections afforded by the Second Amendment particularly when Congress as well as Tennessee’s own Legislature are intentionally failing to do so.
TFA and TFF have engaged in each of these cases without reaching out to the membership and supporters each time to ask for money. However, the expenditures have been substantial and our ability to continue to engage in litigation and represent the interests of TFA members does depend heavily on supplemental member donations and, increasingly, charitable, tax deductible donations to the Tennessee Firearms Foundation. We have almost no hope in Tennessee that our Governor, who “identifies” as a Republican, and the Legislature which has a Republican super majority (but does not act like it) and even our Attorney General (who did not join in the Texas litigation with AG Paxton and who is actively opposing “Bruen” challenges to at least two existing state restrictions that violate the Second Amendment) will take action to restore our constitutionally protected rights.
At this time of year, please consider the efforts where TFA and TFF have proven by their actions their willingness the willingness to fight to restore our rights and financially support these efforts according to your capacity as we plan for battle in the courts and the Tennessee Legislature in 2025. Indeed, a regular contributions equal to the cost of a single box of ammo (or that Starbuck’s “necessary” coffee) each month would have a significant impact on our efforts.
If you are interested in helping fight these clearly illegal and unconstitutional actions by ATF, the state of Tennessee and local governments like Memphis, you can do so by:
- joining TFA as a member (or renewing your membership) if you are not already a member.
- if you are already a member of TFA, you can support this effort with a financial contribution that would help fund the litigation efforts.
- You can also make a tax deductible donation to the Tennessee Firearms Foundation (a 501c3 charity) which has increasingly engaged in or supported public interest litigation on matters such as this.
John Harris | Executive Director | Tennessee Firearms Association
Joining and supporting TFA is an investment in the fight to restore our constitutional rights and to fight against politicians who are willing to sell their votes and your rights to whichever business interest gives them the most money!
TFA Website: www.tennesseefirearms.com
TFA PAC: www.tfalac.org
Tennessee Firearms Foundation (a 501c3 charity) www.tennesseefirearmsfoundation.org
Facebook TFA Page: www.facebook.com/Tennfirearms/
Facebook TFA Group: www.facebook.com/groups/TennesseeFirearms/
Twitter: @Tennfirearms
