Weekly Wrap: TN Gov Calls for Red Flag Laws, City Okays $1,300+ CCW Fee
TN's governor calls for more gun reform, city in CA wants to adopt $1,366 fee for CCW permits, and second federal judge rules against gun ban for pot users.
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Welcome to a weekly series here on Pew Pew Tactical dedicated to the gun news you need to know.
So, keep reading for this week’s notable news headlines…
Table of Contents
TN Gov Calls for Red Flag Laws, Tighter Background Checks
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee called on the Tennessee legislature to take up gun reform through tighter background checks and red flag laws.
Lee issued an Executive Order this week tackling background checks. The EO would force entities to report new criminal activity as well as mental health data to the Tennessee Instant Check System within 72 hours of learning the information.
The Tennessee Instant Check System handles background check requests for firearm purchases in the Volunteer State.
But the EO doesn’t stop there. It also requires the TBI to report to the governor and the General Assembly "any barriers to complete, accurate, and timely reporting of information that is accessible in TICS." The time limit for that is two months.
“The existing background-check process for purchasing a firearm only works when there is accurate and timely information that's available,” Lee told The Tennessean.
Though Lee’s EO was focused on background checks, the governor also urged legislators to pass red flag laws. Red flag laws would allow law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous to themselves or others.
"I’m asking the General Assembly to bring forward an order of protection law," Lee said. "A new, strong order of protection law will provide the broader population cover, safety, from those who are a danger to themselves or the population."
“This is our moment to lead and to give the people of Tennessee what they deserve.”
The executive order comes on the heels of the Covenant school shooting in Nashville that prompted protests at the state’s Capitol for the past few weeks.
CA City Endorses $1,300+ Fee for Concealed Carry Permits
The City Council of Morgan Hill, California, approved a plan to enact a fee for concealed carry permits – one that could see prices soar to over $1,300 per applicant.
Morgan Hill is currently a “no issue” city, but NYSRPA v. Bruen’s decision overturning no-issue policies forced the city to reconsider permitting.
As a result, a staff report approved by the City Council shows a hefty fee structure. Under the plan, applicants would have to pay towards:
- $800: CCW permit
- $150: psychological test
- $350: 16 hours in an approved gun safety training or course
- $131: miscellaneous fees
- $20: fingerprinting
All in, the total cost would be $1,366. Renewals would come in at $227.
The city says it expects to begin issuing permits next month.
Second Judge Says Pot Users Can Keep Guns
A second federal judge out of Texas has ruled that marijuana users should be allowed to own guns.
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone ruled that the ban on cannabis users is unconstitutional.
The case at the center of the ruling involves Paola Connelly. In 2021, Connelly was charged with illegally possessing guns after police discovered guns and marijuana in her home. At that time, Connelly said she used the substance to help her sleep and deal with her anxiety.
In her ruling, Cardone leaned on the United States v. Rahimi case and NYSRPA v. Bruen to argue that suspected criminal activity can’t remove the Second Amendment right to own guns from citizens.
“The historical intoxication laws cited by the Government generally addressed specific societal problems with narrow restrictions on gun use, while § 922(g)(3) addresses widespread criminal issues with a broad restriction on gun possession,” Cardone said in the ruling.
“The laws, therefore, are not relevantly similar in how and why they regulate firearms, and do not suffice to establish the constitutionality of § 922(g)(3).”
Cardone joins a federal judge out of Oklahoma who also ruled that marijuana use can’t exclude Americans from gun ownership.
The Department of Justice has previously vowed to appeal rulings regarding marijuana use and gun ownership.
What do you think of the headlines above? Let us know in the comments. Also, catch up on other Weekly Wraps or news in our News Category.