In an age of increasing gun violence, Tennessee lawmakers remain divided on how to address the issue. Republicans are mostly opposed to any gun reform while Democrats are pushing for stricter gun laws. One mother, who belongs to the GOP, is not backing down in her fight for gun reform in the state.
Natalie Allison is a Memphis mother of two, a gun rights supporter, and a Republican. Both of her children have been personally affected by gun violence. In 2006, her son was shot and in 2018, her daughter was involved in a school shooting. This tragedy inspired her to fight for change in Tennessee’s gun laws.
Though typically conservative on gun issues, Allison has proposed legislation that would require background checks for those looking to purchase weapons at gun shows. Despite support from much of the public, her bill was stalled in the Republican Senate.
Frustrated with the inaction of her fellow lawmakers, Allison took matters into her own hands and circulated a petition to keep firearms out of the hands of prohibited purchasers. This petition gathered over 14,500 signatures in 30 days and caused some lawmakers to take note.
The petition inspired a proposed amendment to the Tennessee Constitution that would require background checks on gun buyers. Though this amendment never made it onto the ballot, it highlighted the sentiment of Tennesseans and further illustrated the complexity of gun laws.
While there is still much work to be done in the fight against gun violence, it has been inspiring to watch one dedicated mother take small steps in the right direction. Natalie Allison is a testament to the power of political advocacy, and her efforts should not be forgotten.
