Yesterday, both sides of the Tennessee State General Assembly were in floor sessions. After Governor Lee’s announcement earlier this week about 13-pages of legislation he is proposing that encompass many aspects of a Red Flag Law, no new proposals were offered on either floor by the close of business.
Our sources inside the Capitol conveyed that a special session is imminent in order to deal with the proposal made by the governor, a proposal that is being called by conservatives “an unconstitutional travesty”.
Included in the legislation recently proposed by Governor Lee is a list of 10 SSRI medications, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, that can be used as indicators to anyone with the authority as a reason to possibly issue an Extreme Response Protection Order and trigger confiscation of that person’s firearms.
Based on recent data, about 30% of Americans take this class of medications for other ailments such as migraines and insomnia. Not to mention the stigma that will be attached to anyone who takes these medications for mental health disorders.
During the Senate floor session yesterday, Senator Jeff Yarbro (D-D21-Nashville) asked to have his bill SB1029 recalled from Senate Judiciary Committee where it failed earlier in the month, and moved to bring it directly to the Senate floor for a vote. Senator Todd Gardenhire (R-D10-Chattanooga) moved to table the motion, and his motion was carried 24-7, and the motion was tabled.
