Lawmakers seek to block any ERPO legislation in general assembly

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Any attempts at passing or enforcing laws that would temporarily remove firearms from Tennesseans deemed a risk to themselves or others may be preempted by other legislation.

Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) has introduced a bill that would supersede any legislation related to extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs). SB2763 would “preempt the entire field of legislation regarding extreme risk protection orders,” no matter if it were allowed on the county or city level or statewide.

The bill would also declare any federal statute, rule or court ruling that had the “same effect” as enforcing an ERPO as null and void in the state.

Anyone who would attempt to enforce an ERPO would commit a Class A misdemeanor, according to the text of the bill.

The bill comes as Republicans in Tennessee balked at any attempts to enact stricter gun laws in the wake of the Covenant School shooting in March 2023. While Gov. Bill Lee at first expressed support for some measures that protected Tennesseans, proposing a lighter form of an ERPO before the August special session, Republican leadership publicly disavowed any attempts at passing stricter gun laws and effectively killed the idea . The governor eventually dropped the idea .

Since Covenant, Democrats have filed multiple bills designed to increase penalties for gun-related offenses, such as safe storage laws, but all attempts thus far have been blocked by the Republican supermajority.

Despite opposition from the controlling party, Democrats have filed multiple gun reform bills for 2024, including several new safe storage bills , a bill creating a “ voluntary do not sell ” list, and bills prohibiting the sale of high-capacity firearms and certain kinds of ammunition or modifications .

The bill is carried in the House by Rep. Jody Barrett (Dickson), along with co-prime sponsors Reps. Kip Capley (R-Summertown), Bryan Richey (R-Maryville), Chris Todd (R-Madison County), Monty Fritts (R-Kingston), Rusty Grills (R-Nerbern), Clay Doggett (R-Pulaski), Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby), Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville), Mark Cochran (R-Englewood), Brock Martin (R-Huntingdon), Rush Bricken (R-Tullahoma), Ed Butler (R-Rickman), Kelly Keisling (R-Byrdstown), Timothy Hill (R-Blountville), Jerome Moon (R-Maryville), and Greg Vital (R-Harrison).

Hundreds of bills will be up for debate during the 113th General Assembly . Tennessee lawmakers shared their thoughts on some of the major issues up for discussion at this year’s legislative session.

You can also find daily coverage from the session here .

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