Gun Safety

Posted 4 months ago by Teri Mai

Given the increase in number of mass shootings in the last few years, I believe it is time for ALL responsible adults to check their views. 

The Second Amendment reads: “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”[1]

We have a well-regulated militia – namely the U.S Army, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marines, the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Guard.  We also have well-regulated law enforcement in the FBI, the ATF, the DPS, the Department of Corrections, the Border Patrol, municipal police departments and county sheriff’s departments.  My apologies to any agencies I did not mention.   

The majority of our law enforcement officers would like to see some sensible gun control.  In fact, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (the “IACP”) published a position paper[2] in 2018 outlining “common sense policies that would assist in reducing gun violence, while upholding the second amendment”.

  • The IACP supports legislation to prohibit the mail order sale of bulletproof vests and body armor to all individuals except sworn or certified law enforcement officers.
  • The IACP opposes any federal legislative proposals that would either pre-empt and/or mandate the liberalization of individual states’ concealed-carry weapons (CCW) laws pertaining to the carrying of concealed weapons in other states without meeting that state’s requirements.
  • The IACP has been a strong supporter of the assault weapons ban since 1992.
  • The IACP supports a waiting period for the purchase of a handgun.
  • The IACP calls on Congress to act swiftly to close these loopholes and preserve the effectiveness of the laws in place.
  • The IACP is opposed to legislation that restricts the ATF’s ability to share vital gun trace information with its state and local counterparts.
  • The IACP opposes any legislative effort that would reduce the ability of government agencies to prohibit the sale of armor-piercing ammunition and weaken the standards for ammunition to be considered armor-piercing.
  • The IACP supports legislation and policies that will prohibit the sale or transfer of armor piercing ammunition.

Criminal and mental health background check must be required for all individuals who want to purchase a handgun, rifle, or shotgun from ANYONE ANYWHERE.  Additionally, the sale of all assault weapons and the sale of body armor to individuals must be banned. 

I know guns don’t kill. I know it is people who kill.  People with guns can and do kill more people than people without guns kill.  People with automatic assault-type weapons can, and do, kill thousands of people each year.  People with automatic, assault-type weapons, are capable of mass shootings – like the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut, like the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, Florida, like the mass shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, like the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas; like the mass shooting at the Tops in Buffalo, New York; like the mass shooting at the Waffle House in Antioch, Tennessee; like the mass shooting at the synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, like the mass shooting at the Kroger in Collierville, Tennessee and the Covenant School shooting.  This year alone, there have been more than 200 mass shootings in the United States.  In 2023, more than 40,000 people have died from gun violence.

Parents should not have to wonder if it is safe to send their children to school.  Grocery shopping should not be life-threatening.  We should feel safe from gun violence at work, in the park, and at restaurants.  Churches should be sanctuary for all who enter. 

I will work to make our schools, restaurants, churches, synagogues, offices and homes safer from gun violence.  Work for your constituents.  Work with law enforcement.  Work to save lives.  I will work with all members of the Tennessee General Assembly to pass common-sense gun control laws.

[1] U.S. Const. amend. II

[2] IACP Firearms Position Paper 2018; https://www.theiacp.org/sites/default/files/2018-08/IACP%20Firearms%20Position%20Paper_2018.pdf