Gov. Bill Lee (R-TN) has sounded the call for Tennessee’s Republican-majority legislature to push through additional red flag laws this Tuesday in the wake of signing another executive order which strengthens the background checks in the state when it comes to firearm purchases.
This new push takes place just two weeks after six people, which included three children, was killed as a trans-identifying shooter made her way into Covenant School in Nashville and gunned down both staff and students alike. Lee explained to one outlet, The Tennessean, that he is “asking the General Assembly to bring forward an order of protection law,” which has come to be known as red flag laws, which would allow the government to remove firearms from the possession of those that are found to be an extreme risk to either themselves or others.
“A new strong order of protection law will provide the broader population cover, safety, from those who are a danger to themselves or the population,” stated the governor. “This is our moment to lead and to give the people of Tennessee what they deserve.”
The executive order from Lee sets up a period of 72 hours for all new criminal activity and court mental health information to be reported on the Tennessee Instant Check System, a system used to manage background checks that is utilized by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). as part of this new order, the TBI is now required to inform Lee’s office and the General Assembly within a period of two months of “any barriers to complete, accurate, and timely reporting of information that is accessible in TICS,” read the report from The Tennesseean.
The concept of red flag laws — which are currently active in the books of over 19 states, including a number of Republican-led states like Florida and Indiana — intentionally go after those that have been flagged as having issues with mental health, and let a state court issue an order to law enforcement agencies to take away any weapons owned by those labeled as being at risk. The 28-year-old Covenant School shooter, who had been able to get ahold of over seven guns, had been getting treatment for what was labeled as an “emotional disorder,” as reported by Nashville police, and her parents did not think she should own guns at all.
Those against Reg flag laws make the argument that they are directly against the Second Amendments rights of the public and go against due process, all while not actually preventing criminal acts. Dana Loesch, a former spokeswoman for the National Rifle Association, stated, “Red flag laws are only about two things: removing your due process protections and seizing guns. The mental health of the individual in question is not treated. You’re declared guilty and penalized in an ex parte process, and after must pay to defend yourself before a judge. There is no evidence to support they reduce gun homicide. There already exist ways to have a dangerous individual adjudicated mentally unfit, or placed in temporary custody, due to the threat they pose either to themselves or others. Not exercising those options isn’t the same as no options existing.”
