Tennessee pastors speak out on ‘permitless carry’
Published 12:25 pm Thursday, June 4, 2020
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On Wednesday, three Pastors from Middle Tennessee spoke out against legislation which would allow for permits open ad concealed carry of firearms in Tennessee. Over 250 faith leaders from across Tennessee have signed a letter to Governor Bill Lee in opposition to this bill. The three pastors spoke on behalf of the Southern Christian Coalition and attempted to deliver this letter to Gov. Lee’s office after their remarks. However, State police refused to take the letters, even though the pastors followed the instructions given by staff from the Governor’s office the day before. State police instructed the group to take the letters to the Tennessee Tower, where the letters and pastors were refused by security, as described by Pastor Chris Warren, Pastor of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Murfreesboro.
Committee members received digital copies earlier this morning, in compliance with new practices implemented to slow the spread of coronavirus and so that members of the House Finance, Ways, and Means subcommittee have time to review the letter before the committee discusses the legislation this afternoon.
“From a Christian perspective, Jesus the Christ, chose non-violence in the face of violence from the Roman State. He suggested the people of his time beat their swords into ploughshares,” said Rev.Warren. “It is ironic that the legislature continues to debate whether the Bible should be the official book of the State of Tennessee, yet seems to miss its basic tenets (of the Scripture).
“It may be an inconvenience for those who are fully qualified enthusiasts who want to own a weapon to go through a permit process,” Warren, continued, “but it is an inconvenience that is well worth the lives it will save by keeping firearms from some who would misuse them. Please, lawmakers, I urge you, vote no on the legislation to remove the requirement of a permit to carry a handgun in the state of Tennessee.”
Rev. Jay Voorhees, Pastor of City Road Chapel United Methodist Church in Madison, added, “What is especially troubling is the willingness of our leaders to sneak this legislation through as an amendment to a bill that has nothing to do with the use of firearms. Our ability to trust our leaders is eroded when there is a lack of transparency about their intentions, and this bill is a prime example about why trust in governmental institutions is eroding.
“We have more important things to consider at this time,” Rev. Voorhees continued. “We find ourselves responding to a healthcare crisis that has made clear the weaknesses in our systems for providing care. We see people taking to the streets in their belief that our criminal justice system is not equitable and puts some in our community’s lives at risk. This is not the time to try and fix something that isn’t broke. And so, I call on our legislators to reject this bill and focus on the real problems that ail us.”
Rev. Voorhees concluded, saying, “I continue to pray that God will give our leaders the humility and openness to transcend political agendas and truly address the many needs of our community. And I pray that God gives them the wisdom to know the difference between the things that are broken and the things that aren’t.”
Rev. Marlon Reid, Pastor of Hillcrest Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nashville, added, “While we may not be able to legislate what happens in the hearts of people, we can prohibit legislation that allows guns to fall into the hands of people who have not only a disregard for God, but a disregard for human life. I want to appeal to the legislators to vote no on this bill, so that we can preserve the sanctity of human life.”