Gun reform advocates are demanding action ahead of gun-specific special session

Gun safety advocates in Tennessee have ramped up their call for the General Assembly to make substantive changes to the state’s gun laws. In the past week, groups have held rallies in Middle Tennessee as well as press conferences across the state.

Last week, the Protect Kids Not Guns coalition held a rally in Sumner County. So far, they’ve also been to Williamson County and are planning to hold a rally in Rutherford County next.

Natalie Schilling is with the coalition. She says they’ve been working on gaining traction outside of Davidson County.

“During these rallies, we’re really trying to emphasize that it’s more than just liberal Nashville,” Schilling said. “The whole state wants this common sense gun reform.”

The Protect Kids Not Guns coalition started after the Covenant School shooting. Their mission is to successfully advocate for gun safety legislation. 

The group is in support of Gov. Lee’s emergency order of protection proposal. But they aren’t stopping there. They also want universal background checks, enhanced waiting periods and safe gun storage laws. 

Meanwhile, the African American Clergy Collective of Tennessee met with the news media in major cities in Tennessee, including Chattanooga, Memphis, Knoxville and Nashville on Wednesday. Their goal is to draw attention to gun violence.    

The Clergy Collective is demanding that the General Assembly listen to families calling for the passage of what they consider “common sense” gun legislation during the special session in August.

Rev. Judy Cummings outlined the specifics: “including accidental death and injury caused by unsafe use and storage of firearms, using a gun to commit suicide. Use of guns in domestic violence situations. Drive-by shootings. Using guns in the commission of a crime, school and other mass shootings.”

Wyatt Bassow recently graduated from Hume-Fogg High School and now works with Protect Kids Not Guns. He met with Gov. Lee to talk about what he wants to see changed.

“We presented the Protect Kids Not Guns Act in front of Gov. Bill Lee. We signed this copy we gave it to him, so he knows what we’re presenting,” Bassow said. “He said, ‘Thanks,’ and walked out. I don’t feel heard, and that’s the sad truth.”

Lee called for the Aug. 21 special session to deal with public safety. He didn’t mention guns, but he has said he wants “lawmakers to listen to Tennesseans and pursue thoughtful, practical measures while still preserving the Second Amendment.”

There have been calls from a few Republican lawmakers to cancel the special session. Republican leadership in the House have welcomed the idea, though they haven’t gone as far as to say they’d support the governor’s emergency risk protection order.

Lee proposed the enhanced version of the state’s ERPO law near the end of session, but no Republican lawmakers budged to take it up. After giving them a few months to think about it and talk with constituents and stakeholders, Lee hopes it will be accepted come August.