Governor’s order of protection plan faces tough road in special session

Published by the Tennessee Lookout, Reporter Sam Stockard – June 1, 2023

The governor’s proposal enabling law enforcement to confiscate weapons from unstable people is likely to go down in flames during a special session.

Tennessee’s House and Senate speakers forecast a harsh reception for Gov. Bill Lee’s plan Wednesday in an interview with reporters.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton termed the governor’s idea floated at the end of the regular session a “red flag” law and said “it won’t pass the House.” The governor has avoided the term “red flag.”

Even though the governor’s plan would require a due process hearing before a judge to determine whether someone is a danger to themselves or others, Sexton said, “You get to a point where it looks like one whether or not it is. … Most red flag laws is an order of protection that doesn’t provide mental health services for people on the backside. We’re not gonna pass a red flag law.”