As a longtime businessman and gun owner in Tennessee, I was intrigued to see House Bill 2193 introduced during this legislative session. Rep. Bo Mitchell (D-Nashville) filed the legislation, which aims to impose a 15 percent tax on the retail sale of firearms in Tennessee. As reported by WKRN, “That revenue would then be put into a fund to be used by the Tennessee Department of Education exclusively for the purpose of staffing school counselors in elementary and secondary schools.” Redirecting funds toward mental health support is a cause many can agree is crucial. Mitchell acknowledged the difficulty in moving this kind of legislation due to the environment in our state, but he also realizes that lawmakers have to do something.
According to Everytown.org, our state is consistently ranked among the highest in gun deaths, with the 12th-highest rate in the United States. As Tennessee Lookout reported in August, our state’s rate of gun deaths in youth ages 17 and younger is 36 percent higher than the national average. Guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the state. Further, notes Everytown, “Gun violence costs Tennessee $18.0 billion each year, of which $415.5 million is paid by taxpayers.” Tennessee’s weak gun laws and high rates of gun violence should be a cause for concern for every resident, regardless of their stance on the Second Amendment.
In March of last year, the Covenant School shooting shook our community to its core, claiming the lives of three children and three adults. To many of us, it was a stark reminder that the time for action was long overdue. An Everytown projection shows that “if Tennessee had the gun death rate of … the eight states with the strongest gun safety laws, we could save 12,514 lives in the next decade.”
An extreme risk law similar to those implemented in 21 other states might have prevented the Covenant School tragedy. Such a law would empower authorities to intervene and temporarily restrict access to firearms for individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others. I recognize that the Second Amendment is important — I understand it, and I own guns myself. But I also understand the importance behind defining those who are not mentally capable of making good or safe decisions when they are allowed access to guns.
House Bill 2193 is a step in the right direction. According to Rep. Mitchell, the idea stemmed from a recent town hall meeting, where a Republican voter — and gun owner — acknowledged the urgency of addressing the gun problem in our state. It’s encouraging to see bipartisan discussions on potential solutions. But knowing there are many intricacies in legislation, we have to recognize that discussions and proposals do not always equate to tangible change. We can only do what we have the power to do — and Mitchell has taken just such an opportunity by filing HB 2193.
Of course, Mitchell says he does not want to tax anyone, and he points to “legislation filed by fellow Democrats, including safe storage and red-flag bills by Reps. Caleb Hemmer (D-Nashville) and Bob Freeman (D-Nashville), as things that lawmakers could do to keep Tennesseans safer from gun violence.” Mitchell also explains that if either of those bills were to pass, he would “happily” withdraw his tax bill.
After a recent shooting near Belmont University in which a young student lost her life, Republicans are advocating for more mental health reform. House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) has emphasized the need to prevent individuals who have been deemed incompetent to stand trial from possessing firearms — a change that Democrats also support. It’s a step toward acknowledging the intersection of mental health and gun violence, yet the comprehensive reforms needed could remain elusive. Some still believe that arming teachers is a potential solution, but certainly, many parents do not want that for their children.
A report by Everytown shows advocates from Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action have been tirelessly pushing for common-sense reforms. Their efforts resulted in the rejection of legislation to arm teachers. Sierra Barnett, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action, aptly points out, “While we are encouraged by proposals meant to promote the secure storage of firearms, [last year’s special legislative session] fell woefully short.” It’s a testament to the power of advocacy, but it also highlights the long road ahead.
When we sit down to discuss this, let’s remember this issue is not about politics — it’s about the safety of our children and our communities. I applaud Mitchell for working toward a solution and for filing HB 2193. Further, I believe most of us value common sense over ideological divides. Embracing common-sense gun reform is not an attack on the Second Amendment; it’s a responsible step toward curbing the alarming rates of gun violence that continue to plague our beloved Tennessee.
Bill Freeman
Bill Freeman is the owner of FW Publishing, the publishing company that produces the Nashville Scene, Nfocus, the Nashville Post and The News.
