Tempers Flare As Special Session On Public Safety Is Adjourned In Tennessee House

Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

The tempers of lawmakers in the House flared at the conclusion of the special session on public safety on Tuesday.

After the Senate concurred with changes that the House made to four bills on Monday afternoon, there was no further business for the lower chamber to consider as the Senate refused to reopen committees to consider any other bills that the House had passed.

“Unfortunately, we have no additional business to attend to in this particular body,” said a clearly disappointed Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland-District 44). Lamberth hopes that some of the bills will be taken up again when the Tennessee General Assembly meets again in January for their regular legislative session.

John Harris, Executive Director of Tennessee Firearms Association, warns that, “numerous gun control measures were proposed by both Republican and Democrat legislators. We can certainly expect that many of these will arise again when the Legislature returns in January 2024 to resume its ‘regular session’.”

As the Senate had already adjourned Tuesday morning, there was nothing left for the House to do but concur and vote to adjourn as well.

Before that vote was taken, Representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville-District 52) asked the clerk if a vote of no confidence could be taken on Speaker Cameron Sexton before voting to adjourn. Jones was disciplined on Monday after having been ruled out of order twice by the speaker under new House rules that were implemented at the start of the special session.

“Democrat gun-control Legislators appeared to have been able to rally the gun control advocates as if they were serving as legislators only to facilitate “community organizer” agendas. It is likely that at least one of these Legislators, particularly after being “hushed” for rules violations, will likely gain financial resources nationally as threat to the Second Amendment,” John Harris said.

Shouting could be heard from the galleries as Sexton proceeded with the vote to adjourn making any action to question his leadership impossible. 

Once adjourned, a physical and verbal altercation took place between Sexton and Representative Justin Pearson (D-Memphis-District 86). The pair collided as Sexton sought to make his way out of the chamber while Jones and Pearson held up signs in close proximity to his face. Both Sexton and Pearson accused each other of being the instigator. Other lawmakers stepped in to separate the two of them.

According to News Channel 5, Pearson is considering filing assault charges while Sexton maintains that he was just trying to avoid a cameraman.

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.