Senator Jack Johnson, the Senate Republican Caucus Leader, discusses with TFA the Governor’s Special Session which the Governor has stated that he is called to enact is Red Flag gun control proposal. On the need for a Special Session, Senator Johnson expressed some concern that the general requirements for calling a Special Session may not exist at this time but that the Governor still has the authority to call a special session if he so chooses.

On the issue of Red Flag laws, Senator Johnson states that he has long opposed Red Flag laws. He references that studies by the Rand Corporation has done extensive studies on Red Flag laws and has concluded that there is no discernible evidence that such laws are effective. Senator Johnson also expresses concern that Red Flags are unconstitutional under the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision.

As an alternative to Red Flag laws, Senator Johnson noted that the Legislature has already taken steps such as funding “school resource officers” in schools. He also expressed support for focusing on increasing funding for the mental health crisis in Tennessee. He stated support in extreme mental health situations for removing mentally ill people who are clearly dangerous from the community.

The growing number of State Legislators who are publicly speaking in opposition to the demands of Governor Lee and the progressive Democrats, like Justin Jones, for Tennessee to implement Red Flag and other gun control laws is a warning sign that should result in the Governor's reconsideration of his plans to call a special session at all.   Call Bill Lee at (615) 741-2001 and urge him to ACT like a Republican Governor and not like a progressive, gun control advocate.