Over these last few months, we have seen instances across our state and our nation where a handful of individuals elevate otherwise peaceful demonstrations and civil gatherings, turning them into acts of aggression, intimidation, rioting, vandalism and violence towards law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and first responders. The right to peaceful assembly is enshrined within our constitution, and it is one of the founding principles in the bedrock of our free nation.
However, there is no place in a civilized society for anarchy, chaos, and lawlessness. Here in Tennessee, we will not stand by and allow a few bad actors try to replicate the type of sheer mayhem we have recently seen in liberal cities like Portland and Seattle. To address this type of disorderly behavior, my Republican colleagues and I prioritized law and order legislation during our recently conclude special session.
House Bill 8005, known as the law and order bill, is now officially law in Tennessee; it holds rogue individuals who promote lawlessness totally accountable through the creation of mandatory minimum prison sentences. These include 30-day mandatory minimum sentences for assault against law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders and 90-day sentences for aggravated assault against these heroic individuals. Under the proposal, anyone who participates in a riot or who commits the crime of aggravated rioting will face mandatory minimum penalties of 30 and 45 days behind bars respectively.
Additionally, the measure clarifies Tennessee’s existing laws and strengthens penalties against all those who illegally camp on state property, and it addresses the defacement of state and public buildings. This legislation accomplishes all of these things, while also keeping peaceful protestors, law enforcement, first responders, and the citizens of our state safe.
Now more than ever, we must send a strong message to anarchists, rioters, and violent mobs that unruly behavior will not be tolerated in our state. At the same time, we must continue to stand with the brave men and women who protect and serve us. When Covid-19 arrived in Tennessee, we frequently referred to our first responders as our heroes. I am proud to stand with all who protect and serve our communities by supporting this legislation and successfully guiding it through the House of Representatives.
This bill balances the first amendment rights of peaceful protestors, deters mob rule and supports all of the brave men and women who make extraordinary sacrifices each and every day to keep us all safe. I will never stop fighting for them or for the citizens of District 94 and Tennessee.
Ron Gant is also a member of the House Finance, Ways, & Means, House Health, and House Insurance Committees, the House Facilities, Licensure, & Regulations, and Encore Subcommittees, and the Select Committee on Rules. Gant lives in Rossville and represents Tennessee House District 94, which includes Fayette, McNairy, and a portion of Hardeman Counties.