Governor Lee Abandons His ERPO (Red Flag) Bill Promising More Public Safety For Tennesseans
Image Credit: Gov. BIll Lee / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Kelly M. Jackson] –
Reports this week from Governor Lee’s office indicate that he has decided to abandon his efforts to pass his proposal for any kind of ERPO (Extreme Risk Protection Orders) legislation, also known as “red flag laws”.
This past April Governor Bill Lee called for a special session in the wake of the shooting at Covenant School in Nashville, but it yielded little action in the way of any significant gun control legislation, only producing 4 bills that had no effect on guns directly, and to the tune of what some say is close to a $1 million dollar price tag for the 6-day session.
At the time, an open letter from Republican lawmakers called the session an “expensive, disruptive, futile, and counterproductive publicity stunt” and “a solution in search of a problem.” And called for Governor Lee to cancel it all together.
Grassroots coalesced their supporters and activated the citizenry who made phone calls, sent emails and showed up at their representative’s offices vocalizing their opposition to any sort of legislation that would restrict access to their 2nd Amendment rights.
Specifically, with the proposed ERPO law shared by Governor Lee, it would not have included a constitutionally viable due process, and would have imposed a required test to regain rights to firearms despite the fact that a crime had not even been committed to trigger a weapons seizure.
This violates the recent Bruen decision from The Supreme court that says Americans do not have to pass any sort of test in order to access their Constitutional rights.
In a recent report, Governor Lee said, “I’m not looking to bring that bill,” I am looking for an opportunity in this next session to continue to work on public safety.”
Governor Lee didn’t elaborate on what he meant by “public safety”, however, he did indicate that there will be bills that will come up in the January regular session that will be revived from the special session and even this past year’s regular session that didn’t make the cut the first time around.
Those may include the bills that would arm teachers in the classroom, as well as allow anyone who has former military experience to carry a gun inside schools.
There is also an effort by the Tennessee Department of Education to place “mental health counselors” in every school, an effort the department says to address the “mental health crisis” among our youth who have suffered a staggering increase in mental health issues due to government ordered Covid lockdowns.
The issue with those appointments in schools by the State Ed department, is that it would then introduce a responsibility for mental healthcare onto the public schools in the state, effectively opening up an opportunity to possibly utilize the Mature Minors Doctrine, allowing healthcare treatment for children without parental consent.
While the state seems to be at this point safe from an explicit attempt to pass “red flag” legislation, Tennesseans are apprehensive of legislation that justifies the removal of individual freedoms in the name of safety.
The new General Session will begin in mid -January of 2024.
About the Author: Kelly Jackson is a recent escapee from corporate America, and a California refugee to Tennessee. Christ follower, Wife and Mom of three amazing teenagers. She has a BA in Comm from Point Loma Nazarene University, and has a background in law enforcement and human resources. Since the summer of 2020, she has spent any and all free time in the trenches with local grassroots orgs, including Mom’s for Liberty Williamson County and Tennessee Stands as a core member. Outspoken advocate for parents rights, medical freedom, and individual liberty. Kelly can be reached at kelly@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
We must stay vigilant. The left leaning Republicans are determined to pass some sort of unconstitutional law. Even though their approach solves nothing they got their little feelings hurt in August. Be prepared for round two in January.
Are we saying here that Lee finally listened to the “grassroots”?
We have to pay close attention to what bills are brought up in the upcoming session. The Federal Government is pushing “Red Flag Laws”. Judging form what the Governor of New Mexico tried to do, these “Red Flag Laws” might lead the way to a Government agency such as the CDC to declare a “Public Health Emergency” because of gun violence, allowing the Government to confiscate firearms.
How many “Citizens” have died fighting to “Get the Bill of Rights”???
Over 1/2 Million in “Arlington” along, not counting thousands of other cemeteries around the world.
Now because a few Citizens gets killed they want to “Surrender” the Bill of Rights.
Might as well piss on the graves of those who died to get the Bill of Rights.
Idiots like Lee want to setup a dual citizenship, those authorized to have guns to protect those who don’t.
The Constitution forbids a Nobility class of Citizens.
Everybody is “EQUAL” under the Constitution, “EVERYBODY” fights/dies suffers the same jeopardy of life “EQUALLY” to “KEEP THE BILL OF RIGHTS”.
Well said.
Bill Lee is a RINO and must be replaced by a Conservative. I’m glad that his ill-conceived proposed ERPO law, which can be easily skirted, was stopped dead in its tracks. And of course he did nothing to force the release of the sick tranny’s manifesto. Nice going Bill.
In 2026 we are bound to have a very wealthy candidate with little or no conservative credentials just like Bill Lee who will run ads touting him as a table pounding conservative, sort of like Lee. I wonder if conservatives who voted for Lee have learned anything over the past six years?
Right on Stuart! Even Lee’s old hometown friends don’t recognize him anymore. He never truly was a conservative. Just another sheep following the leader!
A million dollars and six days wasted on an unconstitutional red flag law. Good job Tennesseans, in keeping pressure on the Nashville RINOs. They’ll keep coming, so remember who to primary when the time comes. Some DemonRats run as RINOs in Red States. Our duty is to search ‘em out and give ‘em the boot.
The answer is simple. Replace Lee with a Trump Certified MAGA candidate.
One that realizes Tennesseans will not tolerate the assault on our rights.
Jon Gentry would be a great replacement.
John Gentry (I)
Constitutional Conservative.
https://www.wjhl.com/news/your-local-election-hq/meet-the-candidates-john-gentry-for-tennessee-governor/
We all need to unite under 1 grass roots conservative org.and donate all we can to try and get a true Conservative Governor elected and get rid of China Lee
Well, I did vote for Jon.
And hv sent $$.
The TnRino club has a firm hold on what passes for conservative media. The DemMarxist have the other outlets.
We need more citizens in
TNCSS.substack.com
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