McKayla’s Law hits NRA bump in Tennessee legislature

NASHVILLE (WDEF) The Senate Judiciary Committee has put a bill on hold in Tennessee that would create a new criminal offense to recklessly leave a firearm where a child could get it.

McKayla’s Law is named for an 8 year old who was accidentally shot and killed by an 11 year old boy in East Tennessee.

The bill has gotten support from both Democrats and Republicans, along with prosecutors across the state and even some gun shops.

But the National Rifle Association has put the bill in their sights.

On Tuesday, NRA lobbyist Erin Luper testified before the Judiciary Committee.

His organization’s stance is that gun safety education should be left up to citizens, not the state.

“We do take the position that it is the gun owner’s responsibility to seek education, information and training on how to safely store a firearm, and not the state’s position to require the firearm owner to do so.”

After his testimony, the committee quickly put off a vote on the bill for at least two weeks.

The committee includes Senators Mike Bell and Todd Gardenhire from our area.

That action came the day after a three year old was shot in our area.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department is still investigating whether any charges should be filed in the Apison shooting.

The bill could return on March 15th.