At every life stage I have been privileged enough to pass through with my health and safety intact, yet I have still encountered gun violence. As a child, I went to school five miles from Columbine High School. I remember vividly the fear and grief of our community as we struggled with the senseless violence and loss of innocents. As a mental health professional who has worked with survivors of gun violence I have been a firsthand witness to the pain of survivors of suicide, domestic violence, and community violence where firearms were weapons of mass destruction. As a mother to a small infant I watched the breaking news of the horrific, senseless loss of Sandy Hook elementary school students. As an adjunct professor I practiced active school shooter drills with my students the week the Parkland mass shooting occurred. I felt tears on my face and grief in my heart for the loss of Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, Jordan Edwards and countless other black children who have been gunned down. Why do Tennessee legislators want to risk the lives of constituents, law enforcement, and children by further de-regulating firearms?
Governor Lee’s permitless carry bill currently under review by the Senate allows any adult to carry a loaded handgun in public, either openly or in a concealed manner- without a background check or training. This bill would strip away the permitting system’s requirement of training on how to carry a firearm responsibly in public.
As the current permit system stands, anyone subject to an order of protection, and anyone convicted of multiple DUIs, is prevented from getting a permit. If this bill passes, how would law enforcement officers know exactly who is a threat and who is not?
But don’t just listen to me. Listen to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, who opposes this bill. The TBI points to the nearly 5,500 people who were excluded from permits or had their permits revoked in 2020. They also cited 63,000 other Tennesseans who are legally excluded from carrying guns due to mental health or behavioral reasons.
Listen to Glenn Scruggs, a 26-year veteran law enforcement officer, who says, “I cannot express how truly bad an idea I think this proposal is. I am not alone in that assessment. The majority of the chiefs of police and district attorneys in our state and across the country feel the same way.”
Listen to Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich. “Allowing permitless, open carry of firearms in a large urban area makes no sense…Is it really asking too much for someone to get a permit to carry a deadly weapon on our streets?”
Listen to the Tennessee Sheriffs Association. “This bill, as it is written, has no method or procedure for law enforcement to identify if an individual is unable to lawfully carry a firearm.”
If you want to get involved with gun violence prevention by becoming an informed citizen and advocating for safer gun laws in your community, you can sign up at the Moms Demand Action website.
Anabel Garner
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I would like to ask Anabel a question. Did your father take you out and hunt and show you how to shoot a gun? You ask a question about how do they know now?
They don’t till something happens. The people you speak of will still carry one with or without permission. They drive everyday around with no insurance, no license, and warrants out for their arrest for all kinds of stuff.
You are living in a fairy tale world and you better get some strength in case you should ever happen to face one of the people I am talking about.
A piece of paper does nothing to stop them. We citizens that carry that abide by the rule of law that are being pushed away from our Bill of Rights that was written to protect us, not some law enforcement to check us is why it was given to us.
The men that died for that Bill of Rights knew what the government would do to its citizens given the chance to disarm them to take over them. Period.
I bet you moved here from another state that thinks all can be solved by talking. I could go on but I won’t and I will never give up my rights to appeases people that what to take them away.
Reggie Walls
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Thank you, Reggie Walls, for pointing out this act is for the American law abiding citizens whom are punished by fees and restrictions to exercise their constitutional right. I’m glad you have common sense to understand this bill cause apparently, the ones bashing it, have no common sense and are ignorant to the fact criminals don’t follow the rules of permit, training, and policy - criminals don’t care.
I’m glad to know level-headed intelligent Americans are among us, such as yourself, well done with your response.
Troy Brown
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I have had a gun permit for some time. Having one and having to take a class is the right thing to do. Making it so anyone can walk around without the knowledge of the law or training is a disaster waiting to happen.
The two gentleman who wrote in and said they won't stand for their right to bear arms to be taken from them and I agree with that. But why not do it in a way that helps stop gun violence and not encourage it?
If every woman and man goes out now just to purchase and carry then, oh now they have a gun to pull and threaten each other or kill each other and innocent people just because they can now carry it. You have to learn to drive a car or a motorcycle to be responsible. Why not get the training to carry a gun and a permit?
Alex Claiborne
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Good points are given, especially Mr. Claiborne's. I have been around and owned firearms for over 60 years, and am familiar with all types of firearms.
The thing that concerns me most is the newbies just now purchasing firearms with no prior experience with gun handling or safety and have never shot a firearm.
If a person doesn't go through a handgun carry class, the next best thing would be to have a capable friend that is familiar with firearms go over the dos and don'ts of firearm safety and take them to a range to experience first hand what it's like to shoot a firearm.
Gun ownership is not as simple as some might think; a lot of responsibly goes with it, you need to be informed of what it entails.
Even if the firearms class is not mandated, I think it's prudent to attend one. If you check around, classes are conducted in our area on a regular basis. I think that anyone who carries a firearm should go through a firearms training class.
Every law-abiding citizen should have the right to defend and protect their loved ones and property.
I hope all first-time gun owners heed my advice for their safety and others.
Jim Rosenbloom