Paris, Tenn.—State Rep. Bruce Griffey, R-Paris, has released results of an online poll he conducted to determine his constituents’ views on a proposed ‘Red Flag’ law that may be introduced in the State Legislature.
State Rep. Steve Dickerson, R-Nashville, announced his intention to sponsor a “Red Flag” law during the 2019 legislative session.
Griffey explained a “Red Flag” law would essentially allow family, friends or neighbors to “flag” an individual as a threat to himself or others, and, thus, temporarily remove firearms from the individual’s possession until he is cleared.
Of the nearly 1,000 voters who responded to Griffey’s online poll, 96% stated that they were “opposed” to a “Red Flag” law.
Griffey said, “On a personal level, as a long-time, strong 2nd Amendment advocate, a member of both the Tennessee Firearms Association and the NRA and as a lawyer who has been both a prosecutor as well as a defense attorney, I was and remain fundamentally opposed to any such law inasmuch as I view it as a dangerous infringement not only on an individual’s constitutional right to bear arms, but also on an individual’s due process rights. That being said, I was sent to Nashville by my constituents to represent their voice and opinion, not my own. Therefore, with Senator Dickerson’s announcement, it was important for me to reach out to my constituents, advise them of the proposed legislation and solicit their feedback as to whether they were in favor of it or against”.
Griffey received numerous written comments from constituents with specific reasons for opposing “Red Flag” legislation. “Many cited due process concerns and the potential for abuse by self-interested individuals with a grudge or vendetta. A few individuals raised safety concerns based upon the recent death of an innocent individual in November when a newly enacted ‘Red Flag’ law in Maryland was being implemented,” Griffey said. The incident to which Griffey is referring is the death of 61 year-old Maryland resident Gary Willis, who was killed by police when they showed up at his home at 5 am on November 5, 2018, to confiscate his guns.
“A ‘Red Flag’ law contravenes the very foundational principle of our justice system – that of being innocent until proven guilty. Under a ‘Red Flag’ law, you are essentially deemed guilty until you prove yourself innocent. Your Second Amendment right is stripped away from you without you having committed any crime whatsoever and without you having any advance notice or any opportunity to defend yourself before that important constitutional right is taken from you. I absolutely cannot support it,” Griffey said. “Thirteen states have enacted a ‘Red Flag’ law, including California, Illinois and Massachussetts. I will fight to prevent Tennessee from being added to that list, protect the constitutional rights of Tennesseans and represent the voice of my constituents”.
Griffey said intends to continue conducting online polls to solicit opinion and feedback from constituents on proposed legislation. If you are interested in participating in future polls, follow his Facebook page Bruce Griffey for State Representative.
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