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(TNS) As Tennessee lawmakers continue in their special legislative session on public safety, mental health and gun reform, hundreds of groups and activists are protesting at the state Capitol demanding stronger gun reform.
Every day, 120 Americans are killed with guns and more than 200 are shot and wounded, according to the group Everytown for Gun Safety.
Linda McFadyen-Ketchum, co-lead for Tennessee legislative work for the group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens in Tennessee and the nation.
She added in this legislative session they have a call to action to lawmakers and Gov. Bill Lee for stronger gun-safety laws.
“The lifesaving bills that could be passed most likely will not even be brought up,” McFadyen-Ketchum lamented. “We are more than disappointed. We’re outraged that the people’s voices are not being heard by our lawmakers and our governor, because the people want, they want this fixed.”
McFadyen-Ketchum emphasized her group works daily to lower the death and injury rate in shootings in Tennessee and across the country. She added Moms Demand Action has more than 10 million supporters, with chapters in every state committed to saving lives.
McFadyen-Ketchum pointed out the governor’s formal call for the special session makes no mention of gun reform, and the word “firearms” was only mentioned once. She noted Moms Demand Action would like to see more bills to protect children from gun violence.
“We had hoped, and what we need, is an extreme risk-protection order bill that would allow family members or law enforcement to temporarily separate someone at extreme risk for self-harm or harming others and their firearms,” McFadyen-Ketchum urged. “That is not a part of the proclamation.”
The Tennessee Lookout reports a list of bills in response to The Covenant School mass shooting died in committee and only three passed.
One of the three deals with safe storage of weapons provides free firearm locks. McFadyen-Ketchum stressed the safe storage of firearms is one of many priorities for Moms Demand Action.