TN Legislature walked away from their duty by doing nothing about guns
This past week, the Tennessee Legislature held a special session about gun reform in the wake of the Covenant School shooting. In case you haven’t been following the news, don’t get your hopes up about any actual reform, as the legislature has a Republican supermajority. This means the Republican State Senators and Representative can do pretty much whatever they want. I believe this includes overriding the vetoes of Governor Bill Lee, also a Republican.
So, outside of closing the hearings off to the public, what did the Tennessee Legislature actually accomplish? Only three bills look like they’re going to become law. The first one is to provide free gun locks to anyone upon request. Good job, guys. Many municipalities already do that, but whatever. However, this is ineffective legislation, since 60% of legal gun owners keep at least one gun unlocked at all times. They’re not going to magically start using locks even if they’re free. They’re far too busy living their Punisher fantasies waiting for a reason to shoot someone.
The second bill requires state courts to lessen the time between criminal records being reported to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation from 30 days to three. Great, that gives criminals only three days to buy a firearm from a licensed dealer instead of 30. Again, ineffective legislation, since Tennessee has no waiting period to buy firearms. That’s not even taking into account the gun show loophole or living room sellers who never perform any kind of background check.
And the third bill? Are you ready for this? You guys are going to love this. They’re going to pass a bill which requires the TBI to submit an annual report on human trafficking. That’s it. Not only does it not have anything to do with guns, but the human trafficking the Republicans are thinking about is probably from that bullshit movie Sound of Freedom. You know, the deep state blood drinking kind.
What’s not being addressed? Any kind of mental health resources. Governor Bill Lee himself even suggested the legislature should take up a red flag law without calling it a red flag law. The legislature didn’t even bother taking any such legislation into consideration. The Tennessee Legislature just straight up gave the bird to ol’ Billy Lee of their own party.
This isn’t even partisan politics anymore. While these politicians say they stand for the flag and kneel for the cross, they bend over for the gun.
Gun control advocate Joshua Sparks put it best…
“They had an opportunity to do the right thing. And they just walked away from their duty.”
Amen.
Source: No mental health issues poised to become law in Tenn. session reacting to school shooting
