Leaked Comments From Senator Jack Johnson On Red Flag Laws Get Response From Grassroots And State House Members
Image Credit: Senator Jack Johnson / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Kelly M. Jackson] –
A tweet from News Channel 5’s Phil Williams is causing a stir as Tennesseans brace themselves for what they expect to be surprise “red flag” legislation being concocted by our own state senate members.
In a leaked recording of Senator Jack Johnson’s (R-D27-Williamson County) comments, he says the following to two unknown persons in the room with him:
Johnson: “Here’s another thing too, I’m gonna suggest, if you say “Red Flag” it’s DEAD.”
Unknown Person #1: “Ok,what’s the acronym, ERPO? “(Extreme Risk Protection Orders)
Johnson “ERPO is better.. um, and I think that that term has been so… bastardized it’s been so..tainted..”
Unknown Person #2 : Overlapping Johnson “ Red Flag has? Yeah…”
Johnson: “Yeah, Red Flag Laws. So we have to rebrand that,
Unknown Person #1 overlapping Johnson: “Do whatever…”
Unknown Person #2 : (Heard softly laughing) “do whatever…”
Johnson: “Enable to get something passed”.
When the Tennessee Conservative reached out to Senator Johnson’s office, we were put in touch with the Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus Press Secretary Molly Gormley, who shared this statement from Senator Johnson:
“I meet regularly with constituents to discuss political issues. Last week I met with an anti-gun activist who was advocating for red flag laws along with other extreme gun control measures. He secretly recorded our 40-minute conversation where I explained to him that red flag laws are an absolute nonstarter for me and many other Tennesseans because they are in conflict with the Constitution and violate not only the 2nd Amendment but also the right to due process. The media has taken a 27-second clip out of context from an extensive conversation and is attempting to suggest that I want to deceive Tennesseans by passing a red flag law masked under a different name. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I have always been and continue to be opposed to red flag laws. Red flag laws are particularly problematic because they have become synonymous with denying individuals’ due process by carrying out a guilty verdict without the right to a fair trial. My long-held personal beliefs and my oath of office to uphold the Constitution preclude me from supporting any such unconstitutional law.”
Contextually, this statement seemed to create more questions than to provide answers, so the Tennessee Conservative reached out to grassroots organization Tennessee Stands Executive Director, and former State Senate opponent of Johnson, Gary Humble to get his perspective on the comments, and Humble had this to say:
“Yeah. I think the context is pretty clear. If I’m explaining to someone my position on red flag laws, the phrases ‘rebrand’ and ‘get something passed’ would never come out of my mouth.
The only thing you would hear from me is ‘hell no’ and ‘have a nice day.'”
Sources inside the Capitol have communicated that there will be legislation written, and the person who has been assigned this task is Senator John Stevens (R-D24-Huntingdon). The Tennessee Conservative asked Ms. Gormley about this information and did not receive a response by publication.
Additionally, we reached out to State House Republicans to see what their response would be to any such proposals for Red Flag, or ERPO laws being introduced to their side of the legislature and received this from Representative Bryan Richey (R-D20-Maryville) who said, “I will be telling them to fly a kite. I have spoken with several in the house, and no one is in favor of this”.
It seems that regardless of how the legislation is dressed up, or what names they use for it, everyone is aware that there are key members being utilized to try and get something that resembles “red flag laws” passed without a single citizen of The Volunteer state being aware or asked for consent.
If you are especially interested in keeping anything that even closely resembles a Red Flag Law out of the state of Tennessee and protect our God given 2nd Amendment protections, then please contact your legislators and tell them to vote no on anything that comes across their desks.
And if you are so inclined, you can also contact Senator Jackson Johnson, and Senator John Stevens, and let them know you do not want this type of legislation being drafted for consideration in the state of Tennessee.
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.
i feel i have no representation in goverment anymore ive been a life long republican. i will no longer donate to anyone and i will no longer waste my time voting the whole system is for sale to the highest bidder no matter what they say during their campaign their vote can be bought when the time comes
Mr. Tanner, your vote is not a waste. If you’re passionate enough to write a comment, then you’re too important to lose as a supporter of what’s right. Donations and support for PROVEN conservatives are still the only ways to rid Tennessee of RINOs. Letters and calls to the traitors can also help. Like Reagan said of the US decades ago, Tennessee is the last great hope for our families.
Cowards or communists. Vote Tennessee Constitution Party!
That’s what they want you to do.
Simply get informed of how/what they’ve done in the past and vote/support accordingly.
Getting to know them by their campaign talk is like getting to know someone in church. They’re putting on their best front which may be totally false.
Ricky, I think you are spot on. Constitutional Republicans and true conservatives have been deceived and played for decades in Tennessee. I really appreciate Brandon Lewis and Gary Humble. They challenge these RINOs and don’t apologize first.
I’ve contacted my state reps several times asking how they let a act of domestic terrorism, “hate crime” become a gun control issue. To date not one of my so-called constitutional loving reps has answered my question. And now Bill Lee is being congratulated by Joe Biden on Tennessee’s soon to be Red Flag Laws.
State republicans didn’t have the courage to call the Nashville attack what it is, they don’t want to release the shooter’s manifesto and now they’re seeking red flag laws. This is an insult to those who died in the attack, the police officers who intervened and all the good folks who voted for Bill Lee and crew. Sorry State Republicans, instead of voting for you next time around I’ll not vote. I’m tired of being sold out by a bunch of RINOS
Grizz you are so correct. I’m tired of supporting and voting for these rinos that come in a lie to us for votes. Only to turn their backs on Tennesseans and become who they truly are rinos. I want vote on their word anymore. It’s all lies to get votes. Bill Lee should be a shame of how he has handled this shooting of these precious children. It not only let the families down but the people who voted for them.
Not voting is not the answer, just because someone turned out to be a rino. You are reading a great source for info. The owner of TCN specifically said he would NOT VOTE FOR LEE. It all starts there. Your vote IS NEEDED, but just for the right person. Involvement is the only answer to overcome this.