A law that has been proposed in the Tennessee Legislature would allow temporary emergency protection orders to be issued in order to keep guns away from people who are a threat to others.
The bill that has been put up would allow law enforcement personnel, family members, those who live in the same household, or intimate partners to ask the court for an emergency protection order.
According to the terms of the measure, the individual who files the bill must have a reasonable opinion that a person poses an imminent risk of damage to themselves or others if they are allowed to buy or own a gun.
Last Thursday, the measure was submitted. Democratic Senator Jeff Yarbro, who represents District 21, is the sponsor of the bill in the Senate. Democratic Representative Gloria Johnson, who represents District 90, is the sponsor of the house measure.
In 2023, Governor Bill Lee urged state legislators to approve a “Red Flag” statute and an executive order that would tighten background checks. Both of these events occurred after the Covenant School shooting in March of that year.
Governor Lee’s planned “Red Flag” measure was opposed by members of the Tennessee Firearms Association and Republican lawmakers. They claimed that it would limit the Second Amendment rights of many residents in Tennessee and that any red flag regulation would be unacceptable. However, they were willing to work with Lee on legislation that both protects the public while safeguarding the 2nd Amendment.
In 2023, the “Red Flag” law was not passed. However, in 2024, a law was passed that prohibits those under the age of 25 from buying a gun if they have committed specified crimes.
A “Red Flag” statute is being proposed to the Tennessee General Assembly once again in 2025.
According to SB1131 and HB1222, the responder is not allowed to have a gun for as long as the protection order or any subsequent protection order is in place.
Until the protection order is lifted, they must give their firearms to someone else who is not prohibited from owning a gun.
Outrage Over LA Wildfire Czar’s $500K Paycheck for 90 Days of Work Leads to Mayor’s Reversal
According to the bill, the person who files for an emergency protection order should not be responsible for paying the filing fee.
The law also gives the court the ability to issue an ex parte order of protection, which would restrict someone from abusing, stalking, or sexually assaulting the person who filed the order.
The proposed measure states that if an emergency protection order has been issued against a person, they will be informed of it.
USPS Worker Sentenced to Prison for Stealing $24 Million in Checks
The order will take effect as soon as the petition is delivered to all parties or their lawyers and signed by the judge.
The bill would go into effect on July 1st if it is approved.
Leave a Comment