A member of the Tennessee General Assembly Tuesday told The Tennessee Star that Gov. Bill Lee (R) will not ask Republicans to submit a bill for red flag laws during the upcoming special session.
“The Governor is not pushing any type of gun control legislation nor is he pushing red flag legislation,” State Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) told The Star by email. “I was on the legislative task force the Governor pulled together to discuss options. He never once brought up or asked us to support a red flag law during the 3 meetings we discussed specific topics.”
Zachary (pictured above, left) said that if Democrats attempt to initiate such legislation, it will never see the light of day on the House floor.
“Even if a Democrat decides to bring red flag legislation, it would be voted down in our sub-committee,” he said. “I will vehemently oppose any red flag/[extreme risk protection order] proposals that may be brought during special session. It is important for Tennesseans to remember that the call for special session does not allow for gun control measures that the left would look to propose.”
Lee has drawn the ire of conservatives in the Volunteer State after repeated calls for “order of protection” laws, commonly known as red flag laws, in the wake of the mass shooting at The Covenant School, which precipitated his call for the special session.
“We have shared a proposal with legislators that will improve ‘Order of Protection’ laws to strengthen safety & preserve constitutional rights,” Lee said on April 19. “I’m asking the General Assembly to pass this before they adjourn. It’s time to set aside politics. Tennesseans are depending on us.”
We have shared a proposal with legislators that will improve 'Order of Protection' laws to strengthen safety & preserve constitutional rights.
I'm asking the General Assembly to pass this before they adjourn.
It’s time to set aside politics. Tennesseans are depending on us. pic.twitter.com/2vOe1swgho
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) April 19, 2023
No such bill was introduced before the General Assembly was adjourned, leading Lee to recall the legislative body beginning next week.
Two days later, he reiterated calls for gun control.
“After much input from members of the General Assembly and discussions with legislative leadership, we have decided to call a special session to continue our work to protect Tennessee communities and preserve constitutional rights,” Lee said in a statement.
“There is broad agreement that dangerous, unstable individuals who intend to harm themselves or others should not have access to weapons,” Lee said. “We also share a strong commitment to preserving Second Amendment rights, ensuring due process and addressing the heart of the problem with strengthened mental health resources.”
“I look forward to continued partnership with the General Assembly as we pursue thoughtful, practical solutions to keep Tennesseans safe,” he said.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter.
Photo “Jason Zachary” by Jason Zachary. Photo “Bill Lee” by Bill Lee. Background Photo “Tennessee House of Representatives Chamber” by Antony-22. CC BY-SA 2.0.
Any ‘any’ republican that signs on with Governor Bill Lee, will no longer receive 5 votes that I know of in my immediate family, the same holds true for my brothers and their families, multiply that across Tennessee then ‘vote the way you want the voters to vote for you.
If you are a RINO, then vote with Gov Lee, then renounce your paycheck, then sign up to run in the Party that used to be democrat, but is now Progressive Socialists.
For once in your life, vote your heart and soul, and the voters will do the same for you.
Ships called Russian\Chinese “Destroyers” are lined up on the Alaskan coast, North Korea is tagging the California and Pacific coast lines, and they did not bring a can of tiddlywinks with them.
Try Waking up instead of being in the slumping- a- ‘WOKE’ the zombie makers.!
With missiles being aimed at America from China, Baltic region, the Alaskan coast, and from NoKo, try counting on one hand as to what that means, then read the prophetic language of only ‘one Nation’ sending evil into all Nation via cell phones, internet etc., in Jeremiah 25:29-38, America is the inventor of the Internet, Computer, etc., then go do the do that you are due.
“Denial is Not a state of, or for- Diversity – It’s a state we are found-in a delayed -Reckoning!”
Mr. Zachary is either a naive young man , or he thinks the citizens of Tennessee are stupid.
Watch Lee’s left (liberal) hand while he attempts to divert attention with his right hand RINOs. The whole reason for calling a special session from the beginning was to find a way to step on my constitutional rights. I do not believe that that has changed one iota. Lee is two-faced.
this whole thing is a useless exercise.
Zachary is and always has been a lap dog RINO. What Lee did present is not ok either. Using mental health instead is also not acceptable. Not everyone with mental health issues will commit murder but they will all now have a red flag on their back. We need schools and the government to step up and secure EVERY school in the state. No glass doors, one point of entry that is guarded at all times, teachers that wish to carry should be allowed to carry to protect students, anyone that comes into a school during student hours must be escorted in and out by an armed SRO. REMOVE all GUN FREE ZONE signs.
A Red Flag law intentionally swings a large net and will includes law abiding citizens who did break any law, and did not aid and abet the criminal. The Governor has in his 18 step proclamation creates the “net”.
Emotions run high and ignorance reigns supreme. Hold onto your wallets folks, its money control they crave and lots of it.
DONT TRUST LEE. HE’S GOT PRESSURE COMING FROM SOMEWHERE. REMINDS ME OF SLICK WILLIE.
Mental Health Legislation can wait until normal session.
Well if gender confusion is not definition of mental illness then there is none. Period.