Tennessee Republican says taking guns from dangerous people creates more danger

08 May 2023

Tennessee State Representative Rush Bricken (R-47th District) claimed during a recent debate on a red flag law backed by Republican Governor Bill Lee that taking firearms away from dangerous individuals creates worse hazards.

"This bill is a temporary method to remove firearms from somebody having a temporary situation. They're a danger to themselves or others, close members of the family and people who know the respondent well, or law enforcement. It creates a temporary way to remove weapons up to one year. There's 19 states that have enacted these orders," State Representative Gloria Johnson (D-90th District), the legislation's sponsor, explained.

"Probably not gonna be able to support it, but primarily because I think it causes a chance for situations to get escalated more. You request law enforcements to move removal a weapon in anyone's household. I think you're gonna create greater danger," Bricken said.

But when Bricken was confronted by a reporter for The Tennessee Holler, Bricken denied his own words.

"You said it would be too dangerous to take weapons from dangerous people," the correspondent recalled.

"No, I don't. You, uh, I'm sorry, I I..." Bricken stumbled.

"You said it would be more dangerous to have a red flag law," the journalist reiterated.

"I just don't believe in red flag laws," Bricken replied.

"You know who said that the Second Amendment wasn't without any limitations? Justice Scalia, are you a fan of him? No. Justice Scalia, Ronald Reagan," noted the reporter, but to no avail.

Meanwhile, back at the hearing, State Representative Mike Stewart (D-52nd District) pointed out that red flag laws could have been utilized to "prevent the Waffle House killing here in Nashville, as well as the attack in my district, uh, church in Antioch."

Johnson confirmed as much.

"That's exactly the type of incident we're talking about. Those parents did try to do something and were not able to because we didn't have this. Even if you look at Parkland where law enforcement were aware of some issues, they weren't necessarily able to do anything, and this would give folks some recourse," she said.

But it was a lost cause.

"No's have it. Sorry," State Representative Mary Littleton (R-78th District) said as she revealed the final tally. "We bill those."

Watch below or at this link.

From Your Site Articles