Commissioners oppose special ses

Loudon County Commission voted May 1 to send a letter to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee opposing gun restrictions.

Lee announced April 21 he will call for the Tennessee General Assembly to convene a special session in order to pass legislation to strengthen public safety but preserve Second Amendment rights.

Lee signed an executive order in early April aimed at strengthening background checks for firearm purchases, in addition to calling for lawmakers to pass an order of protection law to keep guns away from people who present a danger to themselves or others.

The action was in response to the deadly March shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville that left six people dead, including three children.

Commissioner Van Shaver said the special session was brought to his attention by resident Gary Busch. Loudon County has been declared a Second Amendment sanctuary in previous commission resolutions.

“Normally, our policy would require that it would go through workshop before it has a vote unless there is a matter of urgency,” Shaver said. “We now know that the governor is discussing, planning, possibly calling for a special session very early in May ... and we wouldn’t have time to go through our general policy. So that’s why I asked to have to have it added to the agenda tonight.”

Shaver made the motion to forward the resolution to the county’s three representatives, the governor’s office and anyone in Nashville “who needs it.” Commissioner Adam Waller seconded the motion.

Commissioner Rosemary Hines Quillen said the resolution was needed and was afraid the matter would lead to gun confiscation for law-abiding citizens.

During the public comment period, seven residents, including Busch, called on commission to take action.

“The governor’s executive order, along with his request for a special session to place any type of gun law restrictions on the citizens of Tennessee, is not only a violation of U.S. and the Tennessee constitution, but it is also not in the state’s, or county’s, best interest,” Busch said. “Tennessee is seen today by many of us new residents as a sanctuary state that upholds its citizens rights, freedoms and liberties protected to each of us. I’m here tonight to ask you as the county commission to uphold that because our responsibility is to work with you to make sure that’s upheld.”

Commission passed the resolution unanimously.

Commission also passed use of American Rescue Plan Act funds designated for District 2 Commissioners William Jenkins and Quillen for a public safety training facility in Lenoir City. Both commissioners allocated their $500,000 to the project.

ARPA recommendations for the districts 4 and 7 were also approved. Commissioners Gary Whitfield and Henry Cullen each gave $10,000 to the Loudon County Sheriff’s Department Benevolent Fund.