Democrats Promote Gun Safety Reforms Ahead of Special Legislative Session

Legislature to begin session public safety starting August 21st

A special legislative session focused on issues related to public safety is slated to begin next week, and legislative Democrats are promoting key gun safety reform proposals they plan to push during the session.

The session was called in the wake of a school shooting at a Nashville private school in March of this year. Democratic lawmakers say that reducing gun violence should be a key priority of the session.

“Our families want gun reform that saves lives by preventing future shootings and that’s exactly what we’re going to fight for in the special session,” said Sen. Raumesh Akbari, the Senate minority leader. “We know the controlling party doesn’t want to address the elephant in the room, but the facts are undeniable: Easy access to firearms is killing our kids and loved ones more than ever. It’s time to protect our families.”

The Democrats say their proposals are popular with a majority of Tennesseans and include a range of policy changes such as universal background checks, a red flag law, safe storage requirements and repealing the disastrous “guns in trunks” law.

“Tennesseans all across this state are calling for common sense gun safety reforms to protect kids by name,” said Sen. London Lamar, the Senate Democratic caucus chairwoman. “We owe the Covenant families and the thousands of Tennesseans who are affected by gun violence a real debate on these life-saving policies.”

Democrats note that school shootings are not the only instances of gun violence, pointing out that gunshot wounds were the leading cause of death for children in Tennessee, according to state health officials.

Photo byThomas KoningsonUnsplash