In reaction to the Uvalde, Texas attack at Robb Elementary School, Governor Bill Lee has stated he is considering several actions to improve and establish school safety measures.

Governor Lee stated on Thursday while speaking with reporters in Fayetteville, “There will be a long list of items that people will talk about and propose – one of them being whether to arm teachers, another being passing a red flag law. I think we’re going to see a robust conversation all across America about what strategies to implement.”

The statement came a day after approximately 50 pastors, parents, and physicians gathered outside of Governor Lee’s office in Nashville demanding “common-sense gun control regulations” which included banning semi-automatic, so-called “assault weapons,” armor-piercing ammunition, and so-called “high-capacity” magazines.

In addition to those demands, Red Flag Laws are again being discussed as an option for our General Assembly to consider in the upcoming legislative session. Red Flag Laws, also known as Gun Confiscation Orders or Extreme Risk Protection Orders, are ineffective in the wake of mass public shootings. A study using data from 13 states found that RFOs do not reduce crime,  suicides, murders, or mass shootings.

Certainly, your voice matters! There are far more than 50 collective voices throughout Tennessee that demand action that would accomplish safer school zones than what the anti-gun zealots are demanding.

Instead of considering more useless gun control, the General Assembly should allow willing teachers and school staff to be armed and repeal gun-free zones.

 

Let Governor Lee know that you want your community protected by proven methods of safety, not infringements that remove the rights guaranteed to Tennesseans.