State of Tennessee Archives: on Gun Control
Bill Hagerty:
The threat to gun rights is real
Bill believes that the Second Amendment is one of our most important freedoms, and he will always protect our constitutional rights, including our right to bear arms and protect ourselves. The threat to our gun rights is real. That's why we need strong
leadership in the Senate that won't buckle to liberal pressure. Bill opposes a national gun registry, red flag laws and universal background checks. He'll vote to confirm constitutionalist judges who respect our rights to self-defense.
Source: 2020 Tennessee Senate campaign website TeamHagerty.com
Dec 24, 2019
Bill Lee:
Law-abiding citizens have a right to guns; don't punish them
Law abiding citizens should not be punished for the actions of criminals. Every time there's a tragedy, the first thing that happens is that politicians and the media politicize the issue and try to turn the conversation away from real solutions and
into a discussion on how take away our constitutional rights. It's the wrong conversation. We've always had guns. We haven't always had mass shootings. We need to look behind the gun and try to get to root causes.
Source: 2018 Tennessee Gubernatorial website BillLee.com
Jul 4, 2018
Bill Lee:
Oppose any attempt to ban an entire class of weapons
Q: Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?Karl Dean (D): Supports 2nd Amendment, but wants to see strong background checks, bans on bump stocks, & continued support for the permit process.
Bill Lee (R): No. "Law abiding citizens should not be punished for the actions of criminals. Adding a new law won't solve the problem. As governor, I'll oppose any attempt to ban an entire (class) of weapons."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Tennessee Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Bill Lee:
Reintroducing concealed carry legislation
Now, more than ever, Tennesseans want a strong commitment to the Second Amendment and the right to protect themselves.
And as such, I will be reintroducing Constitutional Carry legislation this year.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 8, 2021
Bill Lee:
Mass shooting, concealed carry law "separate issues"
Lee made his first public appearance since the mass shooting in a Collierville Kroger where a gunman shot 15 people. The Tennessee governor addressed questions on whether the state's open-carry law played a factor in what Collierville officials have
called the "most horrific event" in the town's history. "[The] constitutional carry bill applies to law-abiding citizens," said Lee. "What happened yesterday was criminal activity, violent criminal gun activity, and those are separate issues."
Source: WZTV on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Sep 24, 2021
David Kustoff:
Unequivocal right to keep and bear arms
Standing for West Tennessee Values: I will always fight for the West Tennessee values we so strongly believe in.
I believe life begins at conception, I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, and I believe we have an unequivocal constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
Source: 2016 Tennessee House campaign website KustoffForCongress.com
Nov 8, 2016
Gordon Ball:
Second Amendment protects Americans from tyranny
Not only is responsible gun ownership a part of the fabric of Tennessee, but it is also a fundamental constitutional right. The Second Amendment gives Americans the right to keep and bear arms.I am often amused by political candidates who go out with
their (camo) suits and shotguns and pretend to shoot ducks to show their support for the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment isn't about hunting, it's there to protect Americans from tyranny, to safeguard our families, and to protect our property.
Source: 2014 Tennessee Senate campaign website, GordonBallSenate.com
Aug 7, 2014
Jason Martin:
Uphold 2nd Amendment rights; support bipartisan gun laws
We need to make sure that we protect our children and communities from gun violence, while also upholding our second amendment rights. The overwhelming majority of Tennesseans are responsible gun owners, and as such, can support
bipartisan efforts to keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals and those who commit domestic violence. We can make sure we continue the traditions of safe gun ownership and safeguarding our society that we have all grown up with.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
Jason Martin:
Repeal permitless carry; don't penalize responsible owners
Similarly, we need to make sure that schools have the resources necessary to identify people who need help before they take the next step to do harm. Part of this is to repeal
permitless carry, and use existing regulation to make sure we don't penalize responsible gun owners while still keeping our state safe.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
JB Smiley:
One priority is to overturn permitless carry legislation
One of Smiley's priorities if elected will be to overturn the current administration's permitless carry legislation, a move that seemed more for political favor than furthering anyone's rights.A study conducted by
Vanderbilt University last year showed that nearly 60 percent of Tennesseans did not support that legislation. That it was a priority in the midst of so many real problems Tennesseans face reveals out of touch motives and government irrelevance.
Source: The Tennessee Tribune on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Oct 28, 2021
JB Smiley:
High standards for gun ownership critical to public safety
Violent crime is not something that is confined to the inner-city. It plagues every corner of Tennessee as we saw with the violence today in Collierville. However, peace of mind does not come with more handguns in the hands of more untrained and
unpermitted people. I stand with the law enforcement community and the overwhelming majority of gun owners who agree that high safety standards for gun ownership and common-sense rules for carrying weapons are critical to keeping our communities safe.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website VoteJBSmiley.com
Sep 23, 2021
Joe Carr:
30,000 people respond to raffling off a Beretta 92A1
The Joe Carr for Senate campaign today announced that over 30,000 people have shown their support for the 2nd Amendment by signing up for a chance to win a Beretta 92A1. The Carr campaign is celebrating Beretta opening up their new manufacturing facility
in Tennessee by raffling off a Beretta 92A1."I knew that giving away a Beretta 92A1 would be popular, but I didn't anticipate it would be this popular. As a lifetime member of the NRA and Gun Owners of America, I have always promoted, protected, and
defended every law-abiding American's ability to keep and bear arms for personal safety, to defend their property, and to enjoy hunting and sporting," Representative Carr said. "We're locked in a struggle with Obama, Reid, Pelosi, and the rest of the
liberal elites in Washington for our 2nd Amendment rights. That's why I decided to take the fight to them by introducing legislation in Tennessee to nullify any of Obama's unconstitutional gun grabbing laws."
Source: WGNS 100.5 FM on 2014 Tennessee Senate race
Feb 25, 2014
Joe Carr:
Permit the possession of firearms in restaurants and bars
Gov. Bredesen today vetoed House Bill 962 [co-sponsored by Rep. Joe Carr], which would permit the possession of firearms in restaurants and bars. "I am a strong supporter of the right to keep & bear arms," Bredesen said. "However, these rights come with
reasonable rules and guidelines. This bill crosses the line of reason. I have been a gun owner for over 50 years. When I was a young man, I took my first gun safety class. There was one message conveyed during that class: guns and alcohol don't mix.
That's as true today as it was then. It is because of this principle that Tennessee state law has long prohibited the possession of firearms in places that serve alcohol. House Bill 962 would remove this safeguard in a manner that I believe would be
reckless.""I believe we can exercise our second amendment rights and common sense at the same time--and guns and bars simply don't mix. Because of this, I am vetoing this bill and respectfully asking the legislature to rethink this issue."
Source: Gov. Press release on Tennessee voting record HB 962
May 28, 2009
Karl Dean:
Strong background checks; ban bump stocks
Q: Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?Karl Dean (D): Supports 2nd Amendment, but wants to see strong background checks, bans on bump stocks, & continued support for the permit process.
Bill Lee (R): No. "Law abiding citizens should not be punished for the actions of criminals. Adding a new law won't solve the problem. As governor, I'll oppose any attempt to ban an entire (class) of weapons."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Tennessee Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Manny Sethi:
Red-flag laws are unconstitutional
I am a staunch supporter of our 2nd Amendment Rights. As a concealed carry permit holder, I know that our Constitutional Rights are not up for debate. These days you are hearing career
politicians on both sides of the aisle talking about red flag laws. These are unconstitutional and will lead to many problems and bad faith actors. I will fight to ensure our right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Source: 2020 Tennessee Senate campaign website, DrMannyForSenate.com
Jan 12, 2020
Marquita Bradshaw:
For background checks, red flag laws, CDC research on guns
I support universal background checks. - Require a gun safety education, storage, and a license in order to own a gun
- Enact extreme risk / red flag laws
- Conduct strong background checks
- Disarm domestic abusers
-
Encourage the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to research gun deaths and injuries in the same way it researches other health issues in order to find workable solutions
Source: 2020 Tennessee Senate campaign website MarquitaBradshaw.com
Aug 26, 2020
Marsha Blackburn:
Get background checks working, but no other gun regulations
Q: Support more restrictive gun control legislation?Marsha Blackburn (R): No. Has opposed most gun regulations. But wants background check system to work properly and record appropriate red flags.
Phil Bredesen (D): Some.
Against banning semi-automatic weapons, but close gun show loophole, ban bump stocks and tighten background checks.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Tennessee Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Phil Bredesen:
Veto firearms permits in bars: guns and alcohol don't mix
Governor Phil Bredesen today vetoed House Bill 962, which would permit the possession of firearms in Tennessee restaurants and bars. "I am a strong supporter of the right to keep and bear arms," Bredesen said. "However, these rights come with reasonable
and necessary rules and guidelines. This bill crosses the line of reason. I have been a gun owner for over 50 years. When I was a young man, I took my first gun safety class. There was one message conveyed during that class: guns and alcohol don't mix.
That's as true today as it was then. It is because of this principle that Tennessee state law has long prohibited the possession of firearms in places that serve alcohol. House Bill 962 would remove this safeguard in a manner that I believe would be
reckless.""I believe we can exercise our second amendment rights and common sense at the same time--and guns and bars simply don't mix. Because of this, I am vetoing this bill and respectfully asking the legislature to rethink this issue."
Source: Gov. Press release on Tennessee voting record HB 962
May 28, 2009
Phil Bredesen:
Close gun show loophole & ban bump stocks
Q: Support more restrictive gun control legislation?Marsha Blackburn (R): No. Has opposed most gun regulations. But wants background check system to work properly and record appropriate red flags.
Phil Bredesen (D): Some.
Against banning semi-automatic weapons, but close gun show loophole, ban bump stocks and tighten background checks.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Tennessee Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Bill Lee:
Enact permitless "Constitutional Carry" of handguns
HB0786: Creates an exception to the offense of unlawful carrying of a firearm, if a person meets age requirements, lawfully possesses the handgun, and is in a place that the person is lawfully present.NRA-ILA press release March 18, 2021
(opinion for voting YES): Bottom line: The VAST majority of Tennessean's will be able to carry a handgun WITHOUT a permit when this becomes law. Period.
Murfreesboro Lawyer blog, April 16, 2023 (opinion for voting NO):
The lack of mandatory training and education for Tennessee gun owners because of permitless carry laws concerns law enforcement, since they worry gun owners will forego basic gun training and education on the belief such education no longer applies.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 23-9-1 on Mar/18/21; passed House 64-29-6 on Mar/29/21; signed by Governor Bill Lee on Apr/8/21.
Source: NRA-ILA on Tennessee State Legislature voting records HB0786
Apr 18, 2021
Gloria Johnson:
Demanded gun safety measures after mass school shooting
When a murderer stole the lives of three 9-year-olds and three adults in a mass school shooting in Tennessee, Gloria once again stood tall for victims of injustice. As a member of the "Tennessee Three" she demanded
Republican politicians in Nashville stop with the BS and pass gun safety measures to prevent future shootings. For speaking truth to power, Republican leaders tried to kick her out of office. But Gloria survived the politically charged expulsion vote.
Source: 2024 Tennessee Senate campaign website VoteGloriaJohnson.com
Sep 6, 2023
Gloria Johnson:
Oppose permitless "Constitutional Carry" of handguns
HB0786: Creates an exception to the offense of unlawful carrying of a firearm, if a person meets age requirements, lawfully possesses the handgun, and is in a place that the person is lawfully present.NRA-ILA press release March 18, 2021
(opinion for voting YES): Bottom line: The VAST majority of Tennessean's will be able to carry a handgun WITHOUT a permit when this becomes law. Period.
Murfreesboro Lawyer blog, April 16, 2023 (opinion for voting NO):
The lack of mandatory training and education for Tennessee gun owners because of permitless carry laws concerns law enforcement, since they worry gun owners will forego basic gun training and education on the belief such education no longer applies.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 23-9-1 on Mar/18/21; passed House 64-29-6 on Mar/29/21; State Rep. Gloria Johnson voted NO; signed by Governor Bill Lee on Apr/8/21.
Source: NRA-ILA on Tennessee State Legislature voting records HB0786
Mar 29, 2021
Gloria Johnson:
Tennessee Three: targeted for expulsion for gun reform zeal
Back in April of 2023, state Representative Gloria Johnson of Knoxville got to be a known quantity, not only statewide but to the nation at large, as a member of the "Tennessee Three," the trio of Democratic legislators whose zeal for gun reform
made them targets for expulsion by the GOP House supermajority.She survived the expulsion vote, as her cohorts did not, either because--as some believe--they were African-American and she was not or--as the Republican whose dissenting vote saved her
maintained--because she differed from them in not having challenged the "decorum" of the House quite as seriously.
Whatever the reality, Johnson fully shared the outrage of fellow protesters Justin Pearson of Memphis and Justin Jones of Nashville at
Republican inaction following a lethal shooting rampage at Nashville's Covenant School. The two Justins were immediately returned to office by their local legislative bodies.
Source: Memphis Flyer on 2024 Tennessee Senate race
May 29, 2024
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026