When Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee launched an effort in April to address public safety, his family was in mourning over the loss of two close friends, both educators tragically killed in a mass shooting at a Nashville Christian school.
His plea for millions of dollars to bolster school security garnered support from Republican legislators, who stood beside him during a formal announcement.
However, a few days later, as a Republican, Mr. Lee ventured further by proposing an order of protection law that could temporarily limit an individual’s access to firearms. For this announcement, he stood alone. The legislative session concluded without a vote on this proposal.
Now, Mr. Lee has called lawmakers back to Nashville for a special session on public safety, with a potential focus on a modified version of the law. Yet, lacking broad support within his own party, it appears that this measure is once again destined to fail. This underscores the dynamics of a Republican supermajority, strongly influenced by a right-wing base staunchly against any perceived infringement on gun ownership.
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, one of the few Republican lawmakers openly supporting Mr. Lee’s proposal, noted, “There are issues where the governor may have an opinion, but the majority of the legislature has a different opinion. Sometimes, things take time, and sometimes they don’t come to fruition.”
Leading up to the special session, Mr. Lee and senior Republicans have concentrated on legislation to strengthen mental health resources and policies, increase criminal penalties for threats of mass violence, address juvenile crime, and promote safe firearm storage.
Experts caution that this supermajority’s stance could result in legislative actions that do little to mitigate the toll of gun violence—currently the leading cause of death among American children—potentially exacerbating inequalities within the state.
Jen Pauliukonis, Director of Policy and Programming at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Gun Violence Solutions, urged policymakers to evaluate whether the proposed policies will be effective and not harm vulnerable communities.
After the tragic shooting, impassioned gun control protests erupted, with thousands of students, parents, and teachers demanding substantial measures to restrict gun access.
However, by the end of April, the Republican supermajority had ousted two young Black Democratic leaders who led a protest from the House floor (both were subsequently re-elected), postponing any direct legislative action concerning firearm access.
While Mr. Lee swiftly announced plans for the legislature to address public safety, his primary proposal—an adaptation of a “red flag law” enabling judges to temporarily seize weapons from individuals considered potential threats—was criticized by Republicans as an affront to constitutional rights.
This isn’t the first time Mr. Lee’s policy agenda has been shaped by personal loss and deep-rooted Christian faith. He previously described his family’s journey of trauma and recovery after his first wife’s sudden death in a horseback-riding accident.
In his initial Republican primary, he navigated past a contentious battle among seasoned politicians and relied on his personal experiences and outsider status as a businessman to secure his first political position and the governor’s mansion.
Unlike some predecessors, Mr. Lee has maintained a low profile, quietly endorsing several far-right priorities. Prior to the Covenant school shooting, he championed gun rights, including a law permitting individuals aged 21 and above to carry handguns publicly without a permit.
“I believe that if we concentrate on what we believe can be achieved, on what we can all agree upon, then we will enact measures that enhance our state’s safety,” he stated to reporters this month.
Despite party opposition, some lauded Mr. Lee’s determination in pursuing the special session. Kramer Schmidt, a Covenant School parent, praised Mr. Lee for his commitment to bringing about necessary change before the upcoming school year.
Though his limited gun control proposal enjoys support outside the legislature—data from Vanderbilt University indicates that approximately three-quarters of registered voters favor a red-flag law—Tennessee’s primary elections often determine outcomes.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton highlighted that the focus should extend beyond guns and emphasized the need to address individuals rather than just the weapons.
John Harris, Executive Director of the Tennessee Firearms Association, characterized Mr. Lee’s approach as experimental, suggesting he’s attempting various strategies to see what sticks.
Governor Lee, Harris noted, has not visibly demonstrated that his proposal meets the Supreme Court’s standards, particularly concerning Second Amendment matters.
Democrats intend to introduce their own legislation, including a more stringent order of protection law. However, these measures are unlikely to garner serious consideration.
Representative John Ray Clemmons of Nashville, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, criticized Governor Lee, suggesting he’s cornered himself. Clemmons and others blame far-right Republicans for swaying the legislature away from gun control, accusing them of using the issue to push through unrelated measures quickly.
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