NASHVILLE — Gov. Bill Lee said Thursday he believes his emergency “order of protection” proposal to create a legal avenue to temporarily remove firearms from people deemed by a judge as a threat to others or themselves is the “right thing” to do.
“I have an obligation and a responsibility to do what I think is the right thing for Tennesseans,” the Republican governor told reporters. “I think this is the right thing for Tennesseans.”
Lee proposed the legislation in the waning days of this year’s legislative session following the March 27 shooting deaths of three children and three adults at The Covenant School, a private Christian elementary school in Nashville, by a former student who had mental issues.
A number of the governor’s fellow Republicans balked, saying there wasn’t time to consider the issue in their regular session. But there is also a wide philosophical gulf. In a deal with top GOP leaders, Lee agreed to issue a call for a special session. He announced Monday he will call a special session on the issue to begin Aug. 21.