"Tennessee Democrats face expulsion vote over gun control protest"

Tennessee Democrats face expulsion vote over gun control protest

Tennessee's Democratic Party members are in danger of being expelled from the state's House of Representatives after staging a protest against a proposed gun control bill. On Monday, Democrats walked out of a legislative session in protest of a bill that would have allowed people to carry firearms without a permit. The demonstration prompted Republican Speaker Cameron Sexton to call for a vote on expelling the Democrats from the House.

The protest was held in response to the Republican-controlled Legislature's push for legislation that would loosen gun restrictions in the state. The proposed bill would have allowed people to carry firearms without obtaining a permit, which Democrats say would be a dangerous move that could lead to increased gun violence.

The Democratic lawmakers argue that the proposed bill would allow people to carry guns without proper training and without undergoing background checks. They also claim that the bill would undermine public safety by making it easier for criminals to obtain firearms.

The House Democratic Caucus released a statement following the protest, saying that they would "not be bullied or intimidated by the Speaker or his Republican colleagues." The statement went on to say that the Democrats were committed to fighting for the safety and security of Tennesseans.

The proposed bill is just one of several Republican-led efforts to loosen gun laws in the state. Tennessee already has some of the most relaxed gun laws in the country, allowing people to carry firearms openly without a permit. If the Democrats are expelled from the House, it will be a significant blow to the party's efforts to push back against the Republican's pro-gun agenda.