Emergency Update on TN Gun Laws

Dear fellow Tennesseans,

This is a very quick update and request for those of you in Tennessee who are interested in our political proceedings. If you'd like more backstory on what's been happening over the last week, you can go and listen to Saturday's podcast episode on the Covenant Presbyterian shooting and the aftermath.

In short, there has been a huge amount of political pressure applied to the Tennessee legislature, and it is mounting.

Today, we've seen a bunch of school walkouts organized by various teachers' unions and school administrators, and hundreds of high school students have been bussed to the Capitol Building to demand more gun control. Not better support for private schools, not more school security, not more protection, but more gun regulation and more gun confiscation.

Today would be an excellent day to send a very short, simple, sincere letter of appreciation to your Republican representatives. We should let them know that we understand that they are under attack, and undergoing a very difficult time, and encourage them to stand strong. Please do not just copy and paste this email; they are currently being deluged with copied and pasted form letters, receiving scripted telephone calls, and getting anonymous threats from people wishing death on their entire families—most of which are coming from out of state.

I know that most would appreciate hearing from some actual Tennesseans who can remind them that the best way to protect kids, serve their constituents, uphold their oath of office, and do what is right for the state of Tennessee is to stand strong, and refuse to give in to the emotional blackmail. To not act to hastily. To not set a bad example for those watching. And to thank them for this pretty thankless task.

Thank you for your time and your consideration in this matter.

Isaac Botkin