Summoned by Governor Bill Lee, the Tennessee General Assembly has convened today for an extraordinary session aimed at addressing the issue of gun violence in the state. However, many Tennesseans, who are deeply concerned about this problem, view the governor’s call as nothing more than a political spectacle. To put it bluntly, they believe it’s “too little, too late”. Some have even expressed their frustration with stronger language.
This skepticism towards Governor Lee is based on his past actions. For instance, he took more than 24 hours to respond to a tragic school shooting that occurred in his own community. Furthermore, his unwavering support for the pro-gun lobby has been unquestioned until now. In fact, he once made a symbolic gesture of signing a gun bill at an actual gun factory. However, the recent shooting at the Covenant School on March 27, which claimed the lives of three 9-year-olds and three staff members, has sparked widespread demand for change across the political spectrum in Tennessee.
The fact that Governor Lee’s own party, the Republican supermajority, is now making efforts to address gun reform shows genuine political courage in a state like Tennessee. With enough votes to override the governor’s veto, these legislators are not obligated to follow his agenda or seek compromise. Surprisingly, they found themselves facing overwhelming national criticism when they expelled two Black members of the Tennessee House, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, for joining protesters in demanding gun reform. The lawmakers didn’t anticipate this level of public pressure, and their opposition to the governor’s gun reform efforts did not go well with the Tennessee public.
The Republican legislators faced backlash and even former allies, such as the Tennessee Firearms Association, called on Governor Lee to abandon the idea of a special legislative session. Dudley Brown, president of the National Association for Gun Rights, accused Governor Lee of disregarding his constituents and their chosen representatives. None of this should come as a surprise, though. Any elected official who aligns with the powerful gun lobby should expect to be targeted when they show even the slightest divergence from the lobby’s rhetoric. Nonetheless, Governor Lee proceeded with the special session, possibly because he understands something his critics and colleagues don’t: he is actually listening to the voices of his constituents.
The argument that protesters demanding gun reform are mere outside agitators doesn’t hold much weight when one considers that Tennessean voters reelected Mr. Jones and Mr. Pearson. Furthermore, when Governor Lee solicited public feedback on the special legislative session, the overwhelming majority of responses advocated for common-sense gun laws. Conversations on gun safety are even taking place in churches throughout the state, seeking to find common ground. Public opinion polls consistently show that a majority of Tennesseans support background checks (88%), safe-storage requirements (82%), and red flag laws (70%).
The parents of the Covenant School students are also demanding change. They have formed two nonprofits, the Covenant Families Action Fund and Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrows, to prevent future school shootings. David Teagues, a founder of these groups, emphasized that they are not advocating for controversial measures. Instead, he finds it controversial that these measures are not already in place. He spoke at a news conference saying, “In the days afterward, I was telling my kids that the good people are making the school safe so that you can be safe. I’m here because I don’t want to be lying to them.”
Unfortunately, Governor Lee’s proposed agenda for the special session has left no one satisfied. Republicans don’t want to be there at all, while Democrats are rightfully concerned that Republicans will avoid important discussions and push through dangerous legislation under the guise of being tough on crime. This includes the potential lowering of the age at which teenagers can be tried as adults.
Representative John Ray Clemmons, a Democrat from Nashville, expressed his disappointment, stating that Governor Lee had failed to propose any substantive, common-sense gun safety legislation. He added, “This is embarrassing. I’m embarrassed for him and the state of Tennessee.” Mr. Jones, the recently reinstated representative, criticized Governor Lee for bowing to the extremist fringe within his party and for offering little in terms of common-sense gun laws to protect children.
Despite these criticisms, I still hold on to hope for this special session. Governor Lee has witnessed the devastating effects of Republican gun policies on children in his own community. Despite knowing the potential political repercussions, he called for this special session anyway. If he can change, there is hope that other legislators can change as well. If he can display even a small amount of courage, they too can find their own courage. It is not an impossible feat, although it is undoubtedly difficult.
The urgency for political courage has never been greater in Tennessee. In the time since the regular legislative session ended on April 21, according to Senate Democrats, there have been 24 children who lost their lives due to gun violence, with an additional 38 children injured. The question we should all be asking, and one that has been raised by Katy Dieckhaus, a mother who lost her daughter Evelyn in the Covenant School shooting, is “What’s more important?”. She urges Tennessee legislators to unite during this special session and pass responsible firearm safety laws that protect our children and their right to life.
In conclusion, the situation surrounding the special session in Tennessee is far from ideal. Republicans are reluctant to participate, and Democrats fear that dangerous legislation will be pushed through instead of meaningful gun reform. However, despite these challenges, there is still a glimmer of hope that change can be achieved. Governor Lee’s decision to proceed with the session, despite the criticism and political risks, is a sign that he is willing to listen to his constituents. The task at hand is difficult, but not impossible. Now is the time for our elected officials to demonstrate the political courage needed to address the urgent issue of gun violence.
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