It took tragedy for this governor to promise gun law reform. Why is he backing down now?
Citizens need to encourage Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to stand firm. When he announced his intention to call a special session on gun laws, he made a moral decision that gave hope to many citizens.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee did the right thing by proposing a barebones effort in an Aug. 21 special legislation to keep firearms from dangerous people.
His desire for lawmakers to pass an extreme risk protection order, sometimes called a red flag law, has met heavy opposition from the gun lobby, including the Tennessee Firearms Association, and he has been abandoned by leaders in his own party in the super majority Republican-dominated Tennessee General Assembly.
When House Majority Leader William Lamberth was accused of colluding with Democrats on a red-flag law by the State Freedom Caucus Network president on May 25, the lawmaker tweeted, "I've already voted against the only 'red flag' bill that was proposed during our regular session and will not support one in the special session either."
This bravado goes against the will of the people in polls, in protests on the streets, and in pleas in letters to the editor asking for action after the horrific murders of six people, including three 9-year-olds, at The Covenant School in Nashville on March 27. The shooter was shot and killed by Metro Nashville police.
Two former governors, a former U.S. senator, and multiple doctors and pastors have offered reasonable solutions in guest opinion columns.
We've a Democrat and a Republican. Here's how both parties can start on gun reform – together.
In gun reform, there must be room for common ground – and common sense
But The Tennessean reports in its weekly politics notebook that Lee is now leaving it up to legislators to come up with a solution.
"Gov. Bill Lee appears to be backing away from his proposal. (Lee said) that he still plans to call a special legislative session focused on public safety in August, but the legislature will take the lead on any new gun-related policies," wrote reporters Vivian Jones and Melissa Brown.
The governor has been meeting recently with both GOP and Democratic legislators, but if many Republicans on Capitol Hill had their way, nothing would be accomplished during the special session.
However, there has to be room for common ground on protecting the Second Amendment rights of citizens and protecting children.
I'm a mass shooting survivor: I was 10 feet from a gunman who killed my friends. It's a trauma no one else should endure.
Guns are the No. 1 killer of kids. This is an opportunity to protect our children
Firearms are the now No. 1 killer of children.
Lawmakers have claimed they are protecting kids by passing laws on transgender health care and female impersonators. Why not also regulate firearms, which are demonstrably more dangerous than drag shows?
Lee may fear he will lose, but he shouldn't give up despite the odds.
There are two months left to listen, twist arms and make deals.
The reality is that Tennessee's ever lax firearms are causing harm.
A suspect used a gun stolen from a car to wound Nashville police detective Donovan Coble a few weeks ago.
Ever since Tennessee made it legal for gun owners to stow their guns in their cars a decade ago, the number of stolen firearms has skyrocketed from more than 200 in 2013 to nearly 1,400 last year. Yet there are no consequences for failing to secure one's weapons.
Tennessee governor gave citizens hope. It's time to follow through.
Citizens need to encourage Lee to stand firm.
When he announced his intention to call a special session on gun laws, he made a moral decision that gave hope to many citizens.
He needs to follow through despite the bumpy road ahead.
David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the Paste BN Network Tennessee. He is an editorial board member of The Tennessean, where this column first published. He hosts the "Tennessee Voices" videocast and curates the "Tennessee Voices" and "Latino Tennessee Voices" newsletters.