A frequent question we receive is – why don’t Tennessee’s gun laws fully comply with the Second Amendment particularly since Tennessee has been under absolute and overwhelming control of Republicans since 2010?
There is no doubt that Tennessee has been under complete Republican control since 2010. The state has had two men who identify as Republicans – Bill Haslam and Bill Lee – as its governors. The Legislature has been dominated by a majority of individuals who identify as Republicans.
Since we are constantly told that Republican officials support the Second Amendment and will protect the rights protected by the Constitution, why does Tennessee not have REAL constitutional carry? Why does it have a law (TCA 39-17-1307(a)) that makes it a crime to carry a firearm (or a stick) with the “intent to go armed” anywhere, at any time, including in your own home or on your own property? Why is the “handgun permit” a defense to a criminal charge of illegally carrying a firearm with intent to go armed? Why does Tennessee have an incomprehensible matrix of rules concerning the available defenses to the numerous statutes that prohibit your possession of firearms in places like “public parks”?
Substantially all, if not all, of these restrictions are far more burdensome that the restrictions that existed in 1791 (when the Second Amendment was adopted). Indeed, almost three years ago the United States Supreme Court held that state laws regulating the rights protected by the Second Amendment are unconstitutional unless they are based on the “national historical traditions” of firearms regulation that existed in 1791 and, the Court said, the burden is on the state to prove that its laws meet that national historical tradition standard.
So, we have enough people who claim they are Republicans and who claim that the support the Second Amendment, so what is the problem?
Perhaps the failure of the State to achieve Second Amendment compliance since 2010 may evidence that the Governor and certain key legislators (including those in Leadership – i.e., Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, Speaker Cameron Sexton, and caucus leaders Sen. Jack Johnson and Rep. William Lamberth) apparently do not truly support the Second Amendment. Indeed, it could be found that, if they did truly support the Second Amendment that these Republican leaders could push through the necessary changes to Tennessee law quickly. Perhaps even in a “special session” called specifically for that purpose since recent history proves clearly that a special session can accomplish massive changes in the span of only a few days particularly if the “right” leaders are determined to effect the changes.
If you conclude that Tennessee’s laws do not fully satisfy the Second Amendment’s “shall not be infringed” mandate, call the Governor, call these Republican Legislative leaders, and call your own legislators and ask them “Why, why does Tennessee violate the Second Amendment?”
Governor Bill Lee (615) 741-2001
Lt. Governor Randy McNally (615) 741-6806
Speaker Cameron Sexton (615) 741-2343
Senator Jack Johnson (615) 741-2495
Rep. William Lamberth (615) 741-1980
Find your legislator – https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/Apps/fml2022/search.aspx
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!