CRACKING DOWN ON GANG VIOLENCE:

House Bill 1093, sponsored by Speaker Cameron Sexton and guided by Rep. Andrew Farmer, ensures those convicted of firing a gun from a vehicle serve 100% of their sentence—no early release. “If you shoot at someone from a car and are convicted, you’ll serve every single day,”  Farmer said

The legislation will also add machine gun conversion devices, more commonly referred to as Glock switches, to the definition of a machine gun in state law. Glock switches are already illegal in Tennessee, and this legislation increases the penalty for possessing them from a Class E to a Class C felony. Additionally, the bill prohibits felons in Tennessee from possessing ammunition, mirroring federal law. HB1093 will be moving to the finance committee for further discussion.

HONORING A TENNESSEE HERO:

Representative William Slater honored Tennessee State Trooper Cothron – who was shot during a routine traffic stop – on the floor this Thursday. Trooper Cothron pulled a car over along I-40 East last summer in the Cookeville area due to a broken taillight. When he went up to the car, troopers said Timothy Davis Jr. pulled out a handgun and shot Cothron in the shoulder.

Trooper Cothron has a long road ahead and is still confined to a wheelchair, but he’s expected to make a full recovery. Trooper Cothron is working hard and plans to rejoin the Tennessee Highway Patrol as soon as he’s healthy again – we are lucky to have such brave men and women protecting our communities!

Quote of the Week – “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” ―Abraham Lincoln