NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Gov. Bill Lee signed an executive order to strengthen background in Tennessee checks during gun purchases on Tuesday.
The order was his 100th in office. It requires key data such as a person's criminal record or "court mental health information" be promptly entered into the Tennessee Instant Check System, or TICS, or provided to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation within 72 hours of receipt of the information.
Lee made the announcement while visiting the Metro Nashville Police Department's Midtown Hills precinct. Many officers at the precinct were the first to respond to The Covenant School shooting
The intent is to prevent the wrong people -- "dangerous" people, as the order says -- from being able to acquire a firearm through the formal, traditional sales process.
In accordance with the order, the TBI must conduct a review of TICS to determine how its process of submitting information can be improved. The agency has 60 days to submit a report to Lee on its findings.
Lee is also asking the state legislature to consider a stronger order of protection law.
“We can all agree that it is possible, and it is important that we find a way to remove individuals who are a threat to themselves and to our society, to remove them from access to weapons. I’m asking the legislature to bring forth thoughtful, practical measures to do that,” Lee said. “To strengthen our laws, to separate those dangerous people from firearms, while at the same time preserving the constitutional rights of the people of our state."
Tennessee is one of 31 states without red flag laws—also known as extreme risk laws. These laws are meant to temporarily remove a gun from someone who is at risk of hurting themselves or others with a gun, or stop someone at risk from buying a weapon.
A week after The Covenant School Shooting, Lee announced enhanced legislation and funding focused on school security.
“The past two weeks have not only challenged those who were involved in this from a law enforcement standpoint, it’s challenged every Tennessean. The tragedy, the struggle, my family included; everyone’s family. Six innocent lives lost – three of them are children. It has certainly been a stark reminder to all of us about what really matters,” Lee said. “I’ve said before that when we are in a situation like that, the truth is we’re facing evil itself. And we can’t stop evil, but we can do something. And when there’s a clear need for action, I think that we have an obligation and I certainly do to remind people that we should set aside politics and pride and accomplish something that the people of Tennessee want us to get accomplished. It’s been an emotionally charged couple of weeks. But we have to stay focused on the path forward.”
Lee is urging Republican and Democrat lawmakers to place their differences aside.
Republican Senator Becky Duncan Massey represents Knoxville and serves on the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. She said people who are experiencing a mental health crisis for a period of time should not have access to guns, but said she believes this is not the only answer to the problem.
"There's really not just one answer," she said. "I know, we'd all like one answer and just say, okay, that's the magic potion to solve this and prevent this from ever happening because it is gut-wrenching. I mean, totally gut-wrenching."
Knoxville Democratic Rep. Gloria Johnson spoke to 10News on Tuesday. She said measures such as beefing up schools with hardware and more security personnel doesn't fix the problem, saying more must be done alongside tougher gun control to address the root of the problem.
"Let's talk seriously about what is causing this," she said. "You know, when you can say, Oh, we'll get more mental health counselors in school. Well, you know what, they keep putting little Band-Aids and adding a smidge more and a smidge more, when in reality 10 years ago, we could have expanded Medicaid, and that would have given hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans access to care -- and when you have health care, you have mental health care."
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally provided this statement to 10News in regard to Lee's announcements.
“I support the second amendment unequivocally and believe that a law-abiding, armed citizenry is the greatest defense against criminality and tyranny. But I also believe we must take steps to ensure those experiencing mental health crises do not have access to weapons that can be used in mass casualty events. I have been open to discussing emergency mental health protection orders in Tennessee and continue to be. Any such order process must be tightly constructed with sufficient due process and protection against false or fraudulent reporting. I believe it is possible to protect the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners while keeping guns out of the hands of people experiencing severe mental health crises. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Governor Lee and my colleagues in the General Assembly towards this goal.”
House Speaker Cameron Sexton also provided a statement.
"We all appreciate Gov. Lee’s leadership and his commitment to finding solutions to stop tragedies like the Covenant School shooting from two weeks ago. As we look at mental health orders of protection, they must have a level of due process, protections from fraudulent claims, and a quick judicial hearing for individuals who pose imminent threats. The House is willing to work toward bipartisan solutions to protect all children at their schools, in their communities, and inside their homes.”