Tennessee Senate confirms State Board of Education pick, whose online store sold ammunition used in a school shooting

Tennessee lawmakers have confirmed a controversial appointee to the State Board of Education.

Gov. Bill Lee nominated Knoxville businessman Jordan Mollenhour last year to the board that creates policies for the state’s K-12 public schools. Critics say Mollenhour’s ammunition business clouds his resume.

Mollenhour is the owner of Lucky Gunner, an online ammo retailer. The company made headlines for selling ammunition to the 17-year-old school shooter who killed 10 in Santa Fe, Texas, in 2018. Everytown For Gun Safety, a gun violence prevention organization, filed a lawsuit against Mollenhour and his company for selling bullets to the teen online without verifying his age.  

Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, believes the lawsuit should’ve caused his colleagues to rethink their vote.

“I am curious whether it is an actual conflict of interest for someone to be in litigation over that type of, a school shooting incident, while issuing regulations that will regulate the health, safety and welfare of children’s programs across the state,” Yarbro said.

Republicans defended the appointment. Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Brentwood, says Mollenhour is a successful entrepreneur and that litigation often comes along with owning a business.

Senators confirmed Mollenhour on a 26-6 vote. The House is scheduled to vote on his nomination on Monday.