Tennessee has had the opportunity this year to pass real
constitutional carry. It failed to achieve that goal. But, it did
manage to pass a law
that continues to make it a crime in Tennessee for someone to carry a
firearm with the intent to go armed but which now creates an “exception”
to that law if the person can satisfy about 7 qualifications, some of
which are more stringent than federal laws restricting who can purchase a
firearm.
Some legislators described this law, using different
terms, as the most that they could get this year. An obvious question
is why? Why was it with a Republican super majority and a Republican
governor that this was all that could be achieved?
Some
have indicated that it was because there were many, perhaps a third of
the House Republicans, that would not support real constitutional carry.
If so, it would be a great service to conservatives in Tennessee for
those legislative insiders to name names – tell the voters which
legislators would not support real constitutional carry so that the
voters can try to change their minds or, if necessary, replace them.
Right now, not a single legislator has been naming names.
Even
without the names of those who would have blocked real constitutional
carry, we do have the names of those who refused to support even the
governor’s permitless carry exception. The negative votes by Democrats
are no surprise although there are some Democrats like John Mark Windle
who did and typically do vote for 2nd Amendment issues. The negative
votes by Republicans – once you understand who they are – are no
surprise either and perhaps they will see primary challengers.
The
big question remains and those inside the legislature likely know the
answer – which other legislators, mainly those who identify as
Republicans – are the reason why various leaders in the Legislature kept
offering the excuse that real constitutional carry was simply
unattainable this year. Who are these elected officials who would not
stand true to support removing infringements on your rights?
Senators voting “No” on Senate Bill 765:
Raumesh Akbari – D
Richard Briggs – R
Heidi Campbell – D
Brenda Gilmore – D
Brian Kelsey – R
Sara Kyle – D
Becky Duncan Massey – R
Katrina Robinson – D
Jeff Yarbro – D
Ferrell Haile – R is not recorded with any vote
House members voting “No” on House Bill 786:
Bill Beck – D
Karen Camper – D
Jesse Chism – D
John Ray Clemmons – D
Barbara Cooper – D
Vincent Dixie – D
Bob Freeman – D
John Gillespie – R
Yusuf Hakeem – D
G. A. Hardaway – D
Torrey Harris – D
Patsy Hazlewood – R
Jason Hodges – D
Darren Jernigan – D
Gloria Johnson – D
London Lamar – D
Harold Love – D
Eddie Mannis – R
Sam McKenzie – D
Larry Miller – D
Bo Mitchell – D
Antonio Parkinson – D
Jason Potts – D
Jason Powell – D
Johnny Shaw – D
Mike Stewart – D
Dwayne Thompson – D
Mark White – R
Sam Whitson – R
The following were not recorded with a vote:
David Byrd – R
Mike Carter – R
Kelly Keisling – R
Brandon Ogles – R
Bob Ramsey – R
Joe Towns – D
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