Tennessee Governor Bill Lee proposes bill that focuses on gun reform, upsetting other Republican lawmakers

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee went off script as a typical republican lawmaker yesterday, upsetting many other lawmakers.

“I went and raised cane and said ‘if you’re going to drop a bill then you better get that bill out to the members and not spring it on us in the last minute,” said Tennessee State Senator, Todd Gardenhire.

He announced the newest Bill he’s standing behind, which involves gun reform.

“We all agree that dangerous, unstable individuals, who intend to harm themselves or others, should not have access to weapons,” said Tennessee Governor, Bill Lee.

Lee called on the general assembly to pass the “Order Of Protection” bill, which is meant to strengthen safety measures, while also preserving American rights.

“But in Tennessee right now, if a husband threatens to hurt his wife, an Order of Protection would temporarily restrict his access to weapons to protect the spouse. If that same man threatens to shoot himself or a church or a mall, our proposal will provide that same level of protection to the broader public,” said Tennessee Governor, Bill Lee.

If passed, the weapon restriction would last 180 days.

“Look, if someone is saying the words out loud- ‘I’m going to kill someone or I’m going to kill some people- they’re already thinking of doing it. They’re already a harm to themselves or others in that moment,” said Chair of the Hamilton Co. Democratic party, Rachel Campbell.

Earlier today, the Tennessee legislative session met, raising questions about discussions of the bill and how the republican side of the house took the news.

“We don’t do things up here to show we care or don’t care. That’s a very false narrative. He can go back and say ‘I tried to do something, but those guys over there in the house and the senate wouldn’t do it, but I tried.’ Course, he threw us under the bus. So, you know, do something? Let me tell you, we did a hell of a lot,” said Gardenhire.

Multiple state representatives spoke with News 12, stating that they did not believe the bill would be passed, but that the governor was brave to take that step.

“I don’t understand why children and people have to keep dying, and I don’t understand why the republican legislature won’t look around and see that people are begging for this,” said Campbell.

Following the announcement by the governor, Chattanooga Mayor, Tim Kelly said, “I’m a hunter and a gun owner myself, and I don’t think banning guns is realistic or desirable – but we can and must do more to address gun violence in Tennessee. Requiring point-of-sale background checks and safe storage of guns, prohibiting the sale of high-capacity magazines that allow shooters to hurt dozens of people without having to so much as reload – these are all things that will not only help keep illegal guns off the street, they will better equip our law enforcement agencies to do their part to keep people safe. I was encouraged by Governor Lee’s executive order strengthening background checks and hope he will seriously consider these additional common sense policies to help keep guns away from people who may be a danger to themselves or others.”