Senator Doug Jackson has done an excellent job for Tennessee's firearms owners over the years. He has carried bills, passed bills and has literally converted fellow legislators to believe as he does that Tennessee's firearms owners are generally deserving of have the existing restrictions reduced.
One of the things that is noteworthy is that Senator Jackson has this year repeatedly stated a philosophy, which is reflected in this video, that the real legislative question on firearms issues is not whether there is a need to remove restrictions on firearms owners and handgun permit holders but whether the state has a compelling need to put or keep those restrictions in place. That perspective is consistent with the approach by the Tennessee Supreme Court on this issue in 1871 when it commented on the amendment of Article 1, Section 26 to the Tennessee Constitution a year prior. It is a concept, a doctrine and a philosophy that more of our legislators must learn and apply.