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Gun control unlikely in GOP-led special session following Tennessee school shooting

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee delivers his State of the State address in the House Chamber of the Capitol building, Jan. 31, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Lee on Friday, July 28, 2023, wouldn’t say whether his proposal to keep firearms away from dangerous people has enough support inside Tennessee’s Republican-dominant Statehouse to survive the upcoming special legislative session. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)ASSOCIATED PRESS

As Tennessee’s predominantly Republican Legislature reconvenes at the state Capitol after a tragic school shooting, an array of legislative proposals spanning mental health, school resources, stricter penalties for violent offenders, and more awaits their deliberation. However, notably absent from the agenda seems to be any significant discourse regarding the tightening of the state’s lax gun laws.

A heart-wrenching event occurred on March 27, when a shooter unleashed a fusillade upon a Nashville Christian elementary school, leaving six individuals dead, including three young students. This horrific incident contributed to the grim escalation of mass killings in the United States this year, catalyzing a statewide movement to enact legislation aimed at preventing firearms from falling into the hands of potentially dangerous individuals.

Families tragically impacted by the shooting joined forces with conservative religious leaders and even Republican Governor Bill Lee to champion a law that would temporarily disarm individuals exhibiting signs of potential violence. Despite these impassioned pleas, it appears that this cause may not garner serious consideration during the upcoming legislative session.

Governor Lee, acknowledging the urgency of the matter, expressed that while he believes this topic should be addressed, the ultimate decision rests with the General Assembly.

The perpetrator of the Nashville shooting had reportedly been under medical care for emotional disorders and had exhibited a long-term intent to carry out the attack. Despite this background, legal mechanisms to prevent the individual from acquiring firearms were not enacted.

Tennessee’s existing legal framework offers limited avenues to curb access to firearms for individuals deemed dangerous to themselves or others. Advocates of gun control argue that the Covenant School shooting might have been averted had the state possessed a “red flag law,” which would enable extreme risk protection orders.

Governor Lee, in an unusual departure from his party’s stance, advocated for the implementation of such extreme risk protection orders. Despite his efforts, this proposition encountered resistance from many Republican lawmakers aligned with gun rights groups.

The Governor’s proposal excluded “ex parte” orders, which would allow law enforcement to confiscate an individual’s firearms before a court appearance. The concern expressed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was that delaying action until the individual’s court appearance might undermine public safety during the interval.

Despite these efforts, it appears that little has changed in terms of legislative momentum since the initial proposal was introduced during the prior legislative session. Governor Lee seems to have shifted the focus of the session towards broader issues of public safety, based on the topics lawmakers intend to address.

Republican lawmakers appear to be leaning towards initiatives that toughen penalties as a deterrent to violent crime, arguing that inanimate objects are not the root of the problem, but rather violent criminals. Proposed measures include elevating threats of violence against multiple people to felonies, with escalated penalties for threats against schools, churches, or government buildings.

Democratic lawmakers have also presented their own bills, although their prospects for advancement are limited given the Republican supermajority. Among these proposals are measures to increase penalties for stalking if health care providers are targeted for providing gender-affirming or abortion care, and to classify the coercion of minors into stealing firearms as a felony.

As this legislative saga unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Tennessee’s Legislature will prioritize gun control measures amid a backdrop of broader public safety initiatives.

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