NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam on Wednesday urged fellow Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly not to let the upcoming convention of the National Rifle Association in Nashville influence their consideration of a slew of bills seeking to loosen state gun laws.
The governor has flagged several legislative proposals among the latest barrage of guns bills as raising concerns. And lawmakers hoping to curry favor with the NRA doesn’t help, he said.
“I don’t think long-term policy should ever be driven by a short-term need,” Haslam said. “People should decide, is this good policy for the state or not?”
The NRA’s annual meeting is scheduled for the weekend beginning April 10 at Nashville’s new convention center. Organizers expect more than 75,000 people to attend.
The arrival of the powerful gun lobby in the state capital has spurred some of the gun legislation, Haslam said.