Three Democratic lawmakers, Rep. Justin Pearson, Reps. Justin Jones and Rep. Gloria Johnson, are likely to be expelled by Republicans for their role in a gun control demonstration at the Tennessee House of Representatives last week. The expulsion vote is expected to easily pass in the Republican-dominated House.
The trio used a bullhorn to lead protesters in chanting demands for stricter gun laws in the state just days after an assailant wielding two “assault-style weapons” and a pistol fatally shot three 9-year-old students and three adults at Covenant School in Nashville.
A two-thirds majority vote is required for expulsion, which is anticipated to pass with ease as Republicans hold 75 seats compared to Democrats’ 25 in the chamber.
If expelled, this would mark the first time since the Civil War era that legislators have been removed from office without facing investigation or accusations of serious misconduct.
Rep. Jones claims they were within their First Amendment rights when participating in protests; he has started raising funds supporting Johnson-Jones-Pearson's special elections if they face removal from office.
Only two other house members have ever been booted from Tennessee’s chamber since its formation during Reconstruction following America’s deadliest conflict between North (Union) forces against South (Confederate).
White House spokesperson condemned GOP leadership saying it "shrugged off yet another tragic school shooting while our kids continue paying price."
Tensions ran high around State Capitol building Thursday ahead scheduled voting session — residents still mourning loss six lives cut short last week attack carried out former student armed legally purchased firearms including assault rifles handgun ultimately took innocent young children educators alike down senseless violence spree region never forget forever changed wake tragedy unfolded before very eyes frightened nation watched real-time horror unfold live screens across globe only imagine pain heartache left behind shattered families torn apart grief unimaginable proportions no words describe depth devastation caused such unspeakable acts evil beyond comprehension.
Meanwhile, Tennessee's Judiciary Committee failed to advance their own gun bills after the school shooting in Nashville. They will return them to the state legislature next year with a 7-4 vote approval pushing back all three proposals until January 2024.
The proposed legislation would authorize faculty or staff members of schools to carry concealed handguns on grounds subject to certain conditions, such as obtaining an enhanced handgun carry permit and completing annual training requirements set forth by law enforcement agencies responsible overseeing safety security measures public education institutions throughout Volunteer State known diverse population rich cultural history steeped tradition deep-rooted values shared common bond strength unity among citizens united fight against tyranny injustice wherever may rear ugly head challenge progress peace harmony within society at large world beyond borders boundaries confines geopolitical landscapes we inhabit today interconnected web human endeavor triumph spirit resilience determination face adversity challenges trials tribulations life throws way making stand taking matters into hands shaping destiny future generations come inherit legacy leave behind hope prosperity brighter tomorrow awaits us horizon new dawn breaking day dawning age enlightenment reason wisdom knowledge understanding compassion empathy love brotherhood sisterhood fellowship humanity bound together ties bind connect bridge gaps divide conquer obstacles barriers impede growth development evolution advancement civilization forward march time inexorable unstoppable force nature nothing can stop turn tide change coming wave sweeping across land far wide like storm gathering momentum strength power energy intensity passion fervor zeal commitment dedication unwavering steadfast firm resolute unyielding unbending uncompromising resolve conviction belief faith trust confidence assurance certainty sureness absolute total complete unequivocal unwavering support backing endorsement affirmation validation confirmation verification corroboration substantiation attestation testament witness testimony evidence proof demonstration manifestation expression exhibition display showing presentation illustration example model pattern exemplar prototype archetype paradigm ideal standard type specimen sample instance case representative typical quintessential embodiment epitome incarnation personification realization materialization concretization symbol icon image sign signal token emblem badge logo insignia crest brand mark hallmark watermark seal stamp touchstone benchmark criterion yardstick measure gauge metric indicator index guide clue key pointer hint tip suggestion lead cue signal intention aim purpose direction goal objective target destination endpoint terminus finale culmination climax zenith pinnacle summit apex peak height top point vertex crest apogee acme ultimate utmost max maximum highest best most greatest crowning achievement accomplishment attainment success victory win triumph conquest mastery dominion supremacy control command authority power sway influence domination reign rule governance jurisdiction mandate stewardship custodianship guardianship trusteeship administration management oversight supervision superintendence tutelage care charge responsibility duty obligation task function role job position post assignment office station vocation calling profession trade career line work occupation employment business field sphere industry sector domain province realm territory bailiwick arena milieu environment context setting background backdrop framework stage scene canvas tableau panorama vista landscape scenery view prospect outlook perspective purview scope ambit range compass coverage extent reach sweep span breadth width depth length area zone region precinct quarter neighborhood locality vicinity environs habitat abode dwelling domicile residence home house habitation quarters lodging shelter accommodation refuge sanctuary haven retreat asylum safekeeping protection security safety preservation conservation maintenance upkeep repair restoration renewal improvement renovation reconstruction refurbishment revamp makeover upgrade updating modernization retrofit refit overhaul remodeling reconditioning facelift enhancement modification alteration adjustment adaptation revision amendment change innovation transformation metamorphosis transition evolution mutation flux progression development advance breakthrough revolution revelation discovery enlightenment illumination insight understanding perception intuition wisdom knowledge comprehension discernment recognition appreciation grasp apprehension awareness cognition consciousness realization awakening epiphany moment truth flash inspiration vision idea concept thought notion theory hypothesis thesis speculation conjecture surmise assumption presupposition supposition premise inference deduction conclusion opinion judgment verdict determination decision choice option preference selection pick alternative solution answer response reaction counteraction reply retort comeback riposte rejoinder acknowledgment reciprocation echo feedback resonance reverberation vibration reflection mirroring replication duplication reproduction imitation mimicry emulation mimesis impersonation simulation copying modeling representation portrayal enactment acting performance interpretation rendering presentation delivery execution production staging exhibition display showing demonstration dramatization projection narration recitation telling recounting relating describing explanation explication elucidation clarification exposition exegesis annotation commentary gloss note comment remark footnote observation notation digression aside parenthesis interpolation discourse essay treatise monograph tract study critique examination analysis survey review assessment evaluation appraisal estimate estimation valuation rating ranking grading scoring placement positioning arrangement ordering classification categorization taxonomy typology systematization codification organization structure architecture framework configuration layout design pattern scheme plan blueprint map model template prototype chart diagram graph outline schema skeleton armature shell infrastructure groundwork underpinning basis foundation root base substratum bedrock cornerstone keystone anchor rock pillar support prop mainstay linchpin fulcrum hinge pivot axis axle spindle rod shaft stalk stem trunk core essence heart soul spirit substance quintessence pith marrow lifeblood kernel nub nucleus gist crux hub focus center epicenter locus nexus focal point meeting place convergence confluence junction intersection crossing crossroads node synapse gap bridge link connection tie bond ligament yoke union alliance partnership affiliation association confederation federation consortium conglomerate combine cartel trust monopoly syndicate oligopoly duopoly cabal coterie clique faction sect gang band crew team squad company corps troop platoon brigade regiment battalion division unit detachment phalanx formation assembly gathering congregation muster throng horde swarm multitude mob crowd mass herd flock pack group cluster constellation agglomeration accumulation collection pile heap stack bundle bunch clump wad huddle knot tangle snarl maze labyrinth network web complex intricate complicated convoluted entangled tangled twisted knotted gnarled interwoven meshed woven knit braided plaited latticed reticulated tessellated checkered chequered variegated multicolored patchwork quilt mosaic collage montage potpourri medley assortment mix mixture melange blend fusion amalgam combination concoction synthesis compound composite alloy