The deadly shooting at a Nashville suburban Christian school in March sparked an outcry among devastated parents, students and Democratic lawmakers who called for tighter gun laws in Tennessee, where they are notoriously weak. It also set off a series of political events, including the failed Republican-led banishment of two Democratic state representatives, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson of the “Tennessee Three”, for protesting guns on the House floor.
For a short time, with ample national attention and grassroots mobilization, Tennessee seemed poised to become the latest state to enact legislation on gun reform after a tragedy. The Republican governor, Bill Lee, who lost two family friends in the Covenant school, ordered stronger background checks and proposed an amendment to Tennessee law that would temporarily confiscate guns from individuals under a “mental health order of protection”.
