U.S. News
WATCH: State House Erupts Into Chaos
Clear Facts:
- A heated session at the Tennessee State House resulted in an apparent physical altercation between Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Democratic State Representative Justin Pearson.
- This incident occurred against the backdrop of the House failing to pass any significant gun reform measures, despite the pressing issue of The Covenant School shooting that took six lives.
- Citizens, distressed by the perceived inaction of their elected officials on gun control, vociferously expressed their dissatisfaction, with some emotionally highlighting the real-world impact of gun violence.
In a disconcerting development, a special legislative session in the Tennessee State House spiraled into chaos this past Tuesday.
The eye of this storm was a reported physical encounter between House Speaker Cameron Sexton, a prominent Republican, and Democratic State Representative Justin Pearson.
The Backdrop: Convened by Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, the House was intended to deliberate over public safety concerns stemming from The Covenant School shooting, a harrowing incident that claimed six lives in March.
However, the majority Republican-led House concluded the session without passing any significant gun reform legislation.
Emotions ran high in the aftermath. Videos surfaced depicting the public chanting “vote them out” from the gallery, clearly expressing their disappointment and anger as lawmakers swiftly exited the House floor.
Notably, a video captured by WTVF’s photographer Devin Crawford shows a brief but apparent altercation between Sexton, Pearson, and another Democratic State Representative, Justin Jones.
It’s important to note that both Pearson and Jones had previously been temporarily expelled from the House after participating in a gun control protest, an act which Republican members, including Sexton, viewed as a violation of House decorum.
In the contentious video, Pearson is seen holding a glaringly bright neon pink sign which boldly declares, “Protect Kids, Not Guns!”
Significantly, Republicans had instituted new rules proscribing such signs during the special session, although this was subsequently overturned by a judge.
The footage shows Sexton, flanked by security, appearing to bump into Pearson, leading to a minor scuffle between the two, with fellow lawmakers intervening to prevent any further escalation.
Sexton, defending his actions, informed the press that he had been advised by his security detail to shift his path to avoid a floor photographer, leading to the unintended contact with Pearson.
He stated, “Unfortunately, a few members were trying to corral us in,” as per The Tennessean’s report.
However, a different video perspective presented by The Tennessee Holler, a progressive news outlet, suggests ambiguity regarding Sexton’s claim about being directed by his security.
This video doesn’t clearly show Pearson or Jones initiating any contact before the incident.
Pearson, expressing his frustration, took to his X account: “[Speaker Sexton] violently shoved me today while I held my ‘Protect Kids, Not Guns!’ sign. I’m infuriated by his actions but more infuriated by the INACTION of @tnhousegop to pass a SINGLE bill to prevent gun violence. This is how democracy dies. We must rise!”
Gun Reform—A Divisive Issue: While the House did adopt four new bills that day, which primarily focused on enhanced funding for safety measures at educational establishments and mental health agencies, many citizens present during the session voiced their dismay over the glaring lack of progress in gun reform.
Mary Joyce, a mother whose daughter was present at The Covenant School during the harrowing shooting, poignantly expressed to The Tennessean, “Let me remind you. My daughter was hunted at her school… Since then, every single day she worries if it will be her last. Because it almost was.”
We want to know what you think! Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Michael
September 7, 2023 at 7:12 pm
When you give Neandrathals a little power this is what you get. People to stupid to think about the Whole, so what do they do, raise a fuss. They are just ignorant.
Jarrett
September 7, 2023 at 7:38 pm
First I understand the need to place a gun restriction policy into place but what Dems want is in violation of the rights of American people most 85-90% of the time. A lot of their bill proposals have hidden agendas written in them that are clearly violating second amendment rights while claiming otherwise. Meanwhile GOP are cowards not sticking up for things legally and allow such to push them into illegal actions. Both parties are stupid and greedy about holding their power and influence over American people. Those in official positions need to be held accountable to a higher lvl than normals folks. As it is there are at least four officials in that house from both sides that need to be removed permanently for inciting violence and illegal activity of protesting while trespassing on government property. The other is this issue of in fighting as well. Both involved should be suspended and charged for attempting to incite violence inside a federal building. And all duties stopped, therefore making both involved unable to vote or be heard from due to their actions. If continued such action should result in impeachment or termination of office holding.
Lisa
September 7, 2023 at 8:43 pm
We are tired of professional politicians! You can’t handle the job we gave you to do, then the pink slip is your final payment. We, the people most likely could do it and wouldn’t require a payment. We live the real life and put our country and citizens first! Move over please.
Kenneth Jackson
September 7, 2023 at 8:48 pm
No new law is going to stop any future school shootings. The only thing we haven’t done is start arming school staff. The only thing that stops a school shooter is another person with a gun, the quicker they’re confronted the greater chance of survival. The average response time for law enforcement is 5-8 minutes, if I’m correct it took 14 minutes until the intruder was taken down during the Tennessee shooting. Any staff that is armed would have an advantage because they could quickly identify the threat vs police having to go room by room trying to locate the threat. We’ve learned ever since Columbine time is of the essence, every school shooting since has been our failure to pass the test!
Kenneth Jackson
September 7, 2023 at 8:48 pm
No new law is going to stop any future school shootings. The only thing we haven’t done is start arming school staff. The only thing that stops a school shooter is another person with a gun, the quicker they’re confronted the greater chance of survival. The average response time for law enforcement is 5-8 minutes, if I’m correct it took 14 minutes until the intruder was taken down during the Tennessee shooting. Any staff that is armed would have an advantage because they could quickly identify the threat vs police having to go room by room trying to locate the threat. We’ve learned ever since Columbine time is of the essence, every school shooting since has been our failure to pass the test!
ssilv48
September 7, 2023 at 10:27 pm
It’s a great time to let any teacher carry, do not let anyone know who will carry, many lives would be saved and the school zone would stop being a target.
Scott
September 7, 2023 at 10:41 pm
There are already more than enough “gun laws” on the books. Enforce the existing laws. There are statistics upon statistics that show that more gun laws don’t equal less gun related crimes. The cities and states that have the strictest gun laws have the most gun related crimes. If you want schools protected, have well trained, competent, armed guards stationed in the schools. You will never take away every threat by laws. What’s next, outlawing knives? Any depraved maniac can get a large kitchen knife and kill people. How about cars? They can mow down children in front of a school. Do we outlaw cars? Go after the criminals, not the guns. They are the main thing keeping you safe from the bad guys.
Colby Goodson
September 8, 2023 at 6:38 am
Thats what happens when you vote activist not lawmakers into office. Elections have consequences as Obama said. No real gun reform will decrease shootings.
Lon Loren
September 8, 2023 at 8:25 am
Put security in the schools to keep those assailants out of the school buildings, instead of sending BILLIONS to Ukraine.
Colby Goodson
October 23, 2023 at 6:56 am
Well I didn’t see a shove by Cameron. I did see Pearson up in his face while he was trying to leave. Activist politicians should not be in power.
Lon Loren
September 8, 2023 at 8:29 am
Put armed security in the schools to keep the shooters out of the school buildings, instead of sending BILLONS to Ukraine.
stuman15
November 8, 2023 at 12:31 pm
way could be found to get guns away from criminals, that would be a real accomplishment. But why punish the law bidding public?