State of Tennessee Archives: on Gun Control


Bill Lee: Reintroducing concealed carry legislation

Now, more than ever, Tennesseans want a strong commitment to the Second Amendment and the right to protect themselves. And as such, I will be reintroducing Constitutional Carry legislation this year.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature Feb 8, 2021

Marquita Bradshaw: For background checks, red flag laws, CDC research on guns

I support universal background checks.
Source: 2020 Tennessee Senate campaign website MarquitaBradshaw.com Aug 26, 2020

Manny Sethi: Red-flag laws are unconstitutional

I am a staunch supporter of our 2nd Amendment Rights. As a concealed carry permit holder, I know that our Constitutional Rights are not up for debate. These days you are hearing career politicians on both sides of the aisle talking about red flag laws. These are unconstitutional and will lead to many problems and bad faith actors. I will fight to ensure our right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Source: 2020 Tennessee Senate campaign website, DrMannyForSenate.com Jan 12, 2020

Bill Hagerty: The threat to gun rights is real

Bill believes that the Second Amendment is one of our most important freedoms, and he will always protect our constitutional rights, including our right to bear arms and protect ourselves. The threat to our gun rights is real. That's why we need strong leadership in the Senate that won't buckle to liberal pressure. Bill opposes a national gun registry, red flag laws and universal background checks. He'll vote to confirm constitutionalist judges who respect our rights to self-defense.
Source: 2020 Tennessee Senate campaign website TeamHagerty.com Dec 24, 2019

Bill Lee: Oppose any attempt to ban an entire class of weapons

Q: Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?

Karl Dean (D): Supports 2nd Amendment, but wants to see strong background checks, bans on bump stocks, & continued support for the permit process.

Bill Lee (R): No. "Law abiding citizens should not be punished for the actions of criminals. Adding a new law won't solve the problem. As governor, I'll oppose any attempt to ban an entire (class) of weapons."

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Tennessee Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Karl Dean: Strong background checks; ban bump stocks

Q: Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?

Karl Dean (D): Supports 2nd Amendment, but wants to see strong background checks, bans on bump stocks, & continued support for the permit process.

Bill Lee (R): No. "Law abiding citizens should not be punished for the actions of criminals. Adding a new law won't solve the problem. As governor, I'll oppose any attempt to ban an entire (class) of weapons."

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Tennessee Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Marsha Blackburn: Get background checks working, but no other gun regulations

Q: Support more restrictive gun control legislation?

Marsha Blackburn (R): No. Has opposed most gun regulations. But wants background check system to work properly and record appropriate red flags.

Phil Bredesen (D): Some. Against banning semi-automatic weapons, but close gun show loophole, ban bump stocks and tighten background checks.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Tennessee Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Phil Bredesen: Close gun show loophole & ban bump stocks

Q: Support more restrictive gun control legislation?

Marsha Blackburn (R): No. Has opposed most gun regulations. But wants background check system to work properly and record appropriate red flags.

Phil Bredesen (D): Some. Against banning semi-automatic weapons, but close gun show loophole, ban bump stocks and tighten background checks.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Tennessee Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Bill Lee: Law-abiding citizens have a right to guns; don't punish them

Law abiding citizens should not be punished for the actions of criminals. Every time there's a tragedy, the first thing that happens is that politicians and the media politicize the issue and try to turn the conversation away from real solutions and into a discussion on how take away our constitutional rights. It's the wrong conversation. We've always had guns. We haven't always had mass shootings. We need to look behind the gun and try to get to root causes.
Source: 2018 Tennessee Gubernatorial website BillLee.com Jul 4, 2018

David Kustoff: Unequivocal right to keep and bear arms

Standing for West Tennessee Values: I will always fight for the West Tennessee values we so strongly believe in. I believe life begins at conception, I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, and I believe we have an unequivocal constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
Source: 2016 Tennessee House campaign website KustoffForCongress.com Nov 8, 2016

Gordon Ball: Second Amendment protects Americans from tyranny

Not only is responsible gun ownership a part of the fabric of Tennessee, but it is also a fundamental constitutional right. The Second Amendment gives Americans the right to keep and bear arms.

I am often amused by political candidates who go out with their (camo) suits and shotguns and pretend to shoot ducks to show their support for the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment isn't about hunting, it's there to protect Americans from tyranny, to safeguard our families, and to protect our property.

Source: 2014 Tennessee Senate campaign website, GordonBallSenate.com Aug 7, 2014

Joe Carr: 30,000 people respond to raffling off a Beretta 92A1

The Joe Carr for Senate campaign today announced that over 30,000 people have shown their support for the 2nd Amendment by signing up for a chance to win a Beretta 92A1. The Carr campaign is celebrating Beretta opening up their new manufacturing facility in Tennessee by raffling off a Beretta 92A1.

"I knew that giving away a Beretta 92A1 would be popular, but I didn't anticipate it would be this popular. As a lifetime member of the NRA and Gun Owners of America, I have always promoted, protected, and defended every law-abiding American's ability to keep and bear arms for personal safety, to defend their property, and to enjoy hunting and sporting," Representative Carr said. "We're locked in a struggle with Obama, Reid, Pelosi, and the rest of the liberal elites in Washington for our 2nd Amendment rights. That's why I decided to take the fight to them by introducing legislation in Tennessee to nullify any of Obama's unconstitutional gun grabbing laws."

Source: WGNS 100.5 FM on 2014 Tennessee Senate race Feb 25, 2014

Joe Carr: Permit the possession of firearms in restaurants and bars

Gov. Bredesen today vetoed House Bill 962 [co-sponsored by Rep. Joe Carr], which would permit the possession of firearms in restaurants and bars. "I am a strong supporter of the right to keep & bear arms," Bredesen said. "However, these rights come with reasonable rules and guidelines. This bill crosses the line of reason. I have been a gun owner for over 50 years. When I was a young man, I took my first gun safety class. There was one message conveyed during that class: guns and alcohol don't mix. That's as true today as it was then. It is because of this principle that Tennessee state law has long prohibited the possession of firearms in places that serve alcohol. House Bill 962 would remove this safeguard in a manner that I believe would be reckless."

"I believe we can exercise our second amendment rights and common sense at the same time--and guns and bars simply don't mix. Because of this, I am vetoing this bill and respectfully asking the legislature to rethink this issue."

Source: Gov. Press release on Tennessee voting record HB 962 May 28, 2009

Phil Bredesen: Veto firearms permits in bars: guns and alcohol don't mix

Governor Phil Bredesen today vetoed House Bill 962, which would permit the possession of firearms in Tennessee restaurants and bars. "I am a strong supporter of the right to keep and bear arms," Bredesen said. "However, these rights come with reasonable and necessary rules and guidelines. This bill crosses the line of reason. I have been a gun owner for over 50 years. When I was a young man, I took my first gun safety class. There was one message conveyed during that class: guns and alcohol don't mix. That's as true today as it was then. It is because of this principle that Tennessee state law has long prohibited the possession of firearms in places that serve alcohol. House Bill 962 would remove this safeguard in a manner that I believe would be reckless."

"I believe we can exercise our second amendment rights and common sense at the same time--and guns and bars simply don't mix. Because of this, I am vetoing this bill and respectfully asking the legislature to rethink this issue."

Source: Gov. Press release on Tennessee voting record HB 962 May 28, 2009

  • The above quotations are from State of Tennessee Politicians: Archives.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Gun Control:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021