Commentary: Bill Lee’s Red Flag Law Proposal Helps the Progressive Movement Nationally

by John Harris

Governor Bill Lee called on the Tennessee Legislature to pass a “Red Flag” law on April 11, 2023 just shortly after three Tennessee Democrat House members made a similar call on the House floor and led a disruptive gun control rally with a bullhorn directly from the front podium on the House floor.  The Democrat House members’ gun control rally brought national attention, unfavorable attention, to Tennessee and the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Governor Lee has willfully joined the Democrats in an open call for gun control.  He has intentionally called for a “Red Flag” law although he referred to it as a “temporary mental health order of protection” because perhaps, as Senator Jack Johnson is recently recorded as stating, “Red Flag” laws have to be “rebranded” in order to pass (or did Sen. Johnson mean to say ‘in order to mislead the voters’?).

Coincidence?   Some wonder.

Certainly, it is no surprise to many that Governor Lee is not now and really never has been a strong Second Amendment supporter or defender.  Some might say that the adjective “strong” in the last sentence is unnecessary.

Governor Lee’s continued claims that he is the governor that passed “constitutional carry” evidence that he really does not realize even today – 2 years after his hallmark crime control legislation passed in 2021 – that Tennessee does not have constitutional carry.

Further, it is his own state agencies through TBI and the Department of Safety (frequently by staff attorney Elizabeth Stroecker) which have repeatedly opposed Second Amendment legislation in Tennessee.  He has the power to stop them from doing that, but according to Ms. Stroecker she is carrying out his instructions when she testifies in the Legislature against pro-2nd Amendment legislation.

But the question is whether Governor Bill Lee’s most recent attack on the Second Amendment is just merely a coincidence in that his Red Flag gun control proposal aligns clearly with the national calls by Tennessee House Democrats to use Tennessee as an example of how gun control can be advanced in what some might mistakenly believe is a state under the control of conservatives.

Tennessee Holler, a progressive Democrat entity, recently shared this post on its Twitter feed which clearly reflects its champion, Justin Jones, discussing plans to use the passage of “transformative” gun control in Tennessee as a model to use to repress gun rights in other states.

REP. @brotherjones_ on the FOX POLL showing a vast majority of Americans want common sense gun laws: “It’s an issue of political courage. We don’t have to live this way… If we can transform a state like Tennessee, we can transform the nation.” 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/7A21vvECOn

— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) April 30, 2023

This obvious plan by progressive Democrats, which appears to be either coincidental to or coordinated with a similar call by Governor Bill Lee, is a risk to the Second Amendment not just in Tennessee but nationally.  It is a plan to destroy a constitutionally protected right by agenda driven activists advocates.

So, why is Governor Bill Lee pushing gun control?   Likely, because Governor Bill Lee believes in gun control.  He believes in it apparently more than he comprehends the phrase “shall not be infringed.”  He believes in gun control apparently more than he comprehends the United States Supreme Court’s recent holding in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, 142 S. Ct. 2111 (2022).  He just believes in gun control as evidenced by the actions of his administration over the last five years.

Whether Governor Bill Lee is coordinating with progressives or whether his call for gun control is just a complete coincidence, the threat to the rights of Tennesseans and Americans is the same – it is the dangerous threat of a “Red State” governor calling for a “Red Flag” law.

Significantly, Governor Lee’s statements and actions are a “Flag” that he and his administration’s operatives are not strong protectors or defenders of the rights protected by the Second Amendment. The evidence is overwhelming.

Is it time to consider Governor Lee’s actions as a “Red Flag” that his capacity as governor to propose legislation or to regulate firearms issues in Tennessee (by executive orders and agency actions) must be carefully monitored if not entirely removed from his access so that he and his administration can do no more constitutional harm to your rights?

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John Harris is the Executive Director of the Tennessee Firearms Association.
Photo “Bill Lee Partners with the General Assembly and Law Enforcement Officials on Solutions to Protect Tennessee Communities” by Gov. Bill Lee.

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