On second day of special session, tensions begin to rise as legislative work slowly begins – By Vivian Jones, Melissa Brown (Nashville Tennessean) / Aug 22, 2023
Halls of Tennessee’s Capitol were quiet on Tuesday morning, as the second day of a special legislative session focused on public safety got off to a slow start.
But by the afternoon, some committee meetings grew contentious.
In the House Civil Justice subcommittee, three people advocating for gun safety reform were removed after holding paper signs, which House Republicans banned in newly enacted special session rules on Monday night.
When someone in the audience applauded a bill action minutes later, Chair Lowell Russell, R-Vonore, closed the meeting, directing Tennessee Highway Patrol to kick everyone out, including a handful of Covenant School parents who are advocating for firearm safety
