Tennessee Firearms Association has been talking with members across the state about our successes in a “gun friendly” state like Tennessee. There is no doubt for many that while the residents of Tennessee are predominately gun friendly, our Governor and the majority of the Republican controlled Legislature are not.
For example, TFA members have pushed the Republican super majority in the Legislature for the last 15 years to do things like
– amend the state’s constitution to eliminate a provision that violates the Second Amendment;
– enact REAL constitutional carry;
– repeal the “intent to go armed” clause which makes any possession of a firearm “with the intent” to be armed (even on your own property) a criminal offense;
– eliminate all gun free zones that violate the U. S. Supreme Court’s holding in Bruen regarding the scope of the Second Amendment’s protections;
– eliminate the restrictions on the right of individuals who protect their property from thieves, burglars and looters;
– eliminate the “handgun only” restrictions on Tennessee’s permits;
– provide for criminal defense procedures that allow those who are forced to use deadly force to require that the state negate the self-defense issue early in the criminal prosecution;
– prohibit the use of state and local resources to enforce federal firearms laws; and
– simplify the state’s pardon, expungement and restoration laws.
But, for the last 15 years those public officials who claim to be strong Second Amendment supporters have proven by their repeated failures to act that they are not.
The result is that in addition to working with Tennessee’s good legislators and working to defeat the bad ones in the election cycles, TFA has also undertaken a massive investment in the courts to get relief there (as with the Bruen decision) that our governors and legislators refuse to implement.
This is list, for example, of the federal cases that TFA has invested in either as a named party or in the capacity of filing amicus briefs in just in 2024:
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
Cooper v. US No. 24-5381 SCOTUS Oct 15 2024
Snope v. Brown No. 24-202 SCOTUS September 23, 2024
Michelle Nguyen v. Rob Bonta, No. 24-2036 9th Cir
Texas, et al. V. BATF, No 24-10612 5th Cir
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
US v. Abbot, No. 24-50149 (5th Cir. March 13, 2024)
Maryland Shall Issue, Inc., et al v. Wes Moore, governor of Maryland, No. 21-2017 (4th Cir. March 1, 2024)
US v. Abbott, No. 23-50632 (5th Cir. Feb 23, 2024)
Murphy v. Missouri, No. 23-411 SCOTUS, February 9, 2024
Fischer v. United States, No. 23-5572 SCOTUS, February 5, 2024
Garland v. Cargill, No: 22-976 SCOTUS Jan 29, 2024
Trump v. Anderson, No 23-719 SCOTUS Jan 18, 2024
NRA v. Vullo, No. 22-842 SCOTUS (Jan 16, 2024)
As we move forward into 2025, all of the legislative issues referenced above continue to be objectives for TFA and its members to pursue. In addition, we are preparing for a similar number of state and federal cases in 2025.
To continue to fight in the courts, in the Legislature and in the 2026 election cycle, there are many opportunities for you to help.
1) Join or renew a membership in Tennessee Firearms Association.
2) If you are already a member, you can make supplemental donations to TFA to help fund activities such as litigation, legislative tracking, “lobby day”, etc.
3) If you would like to specifically help fund the public interest litigation and take advantage of charitable donation opportunities, consider a donation to the Tennessee Firearms Foundation (IRS recognized as a 501(c)(3)).
but there are also non-monetary things you can do:
4) share the emails (like this one) with your friends, family and elected officials and suggest that they also join and support TFA;
5) become a social media advocate on FB, X and soon on Instagram to share the communications and memes through your social media networks;
6) contact Governor Bill Lee and demand to know what he is opposing your rights as protected by the Second Amendment. If you know him, go see him or call his cellphone. You can also call his office by calling him at (615) 741-2001. You can also write to him at
Governor Bill Lee
1st Floor, State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243
7) contact Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and demand to know what he is opposing your rights as protected by the Second Amendment. If you know him, go see him or call his cellphone. You can also call his office by calling him at (615) 532-7400. You can also write to him at
Jonathan Skrmetti
Attorney General and Reporter
P.O. Box 20207
Nashville, Tennessee 37202-0207
You might also try emailing at Jonathan.Skrmetti@ag.tn.gov
8) Contact your individual House and Senate members.(address lookup tool). Demand to know what they plan to do to bring Tennessee law into full compliance with the United States Constitution. You might even send them copies of the Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment to “inform” them about your rights.
There is much to be done. For a grassroots organization like TFA, that means member and supporter participation.
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!
