Nearly 1100 Physician Parents Call on Legislature to Pass Gun Reform

Group says recent school shooting highlights need for policy action

A group of Tennessee physicians who are also the parents of school-age children is calling on the Tennessee General Assembly to take action to reduce gun violence. The group is hopeful legislators will use an upcoming special legislative session to pass a Red Flag law and other measures that would protect children from gun violence.

Nashville pediatrician Dr. Vidya Bansal said, "As a pediatrician and a parent, the events of the last 4 weeks, and the unacceptable failure of the Tennessee General Assembly to act on even a bare minimum ‘order of protection’ proposed by Gov. Lee, motivated me to engage other physician parents to demand that our elected leaders enact legislation that will protect our children, our patients, and our communities from senseless gun violence.”

Bansal started a petition which now has nearly 1100 signatures from physician parents demanding action on gun violence.

Dr. Katrina Green, an emergency physician practicing in Nashville, said, "For the last decade, instead of passing laws that would make our children and communities safer, the Tennessee supermajority has been unraveling gun safety measures, like the permitless carry law passed last year which eliminated training and permit requirements.

“More can be done to protect our children in their schools, their families and our communities. I call on the supermajority Tennessee Legislature to repeal the dangerous permitless carry law, and pass sensible laws which the vast majority of Tennesseans support."

The group says recent protests at the Capitol over gun violence show that Tennesseans want reform now. Additionally, they cite polling showing 70% of Tennessee voters support Red Flag laws and that there is broad support for other key gun reforms.

Photo byThomas KoningsonUnsplash