The question usually comes with a squint and a defensive posture. In Tennessee's 6th District, it is the first thing many people want to know when they see the "D" next to my name. It is a fair question in a state where the firearm is a symbol of heritage and protection.

I'm not here to take your guns. I own a handgun. I carry it with the reverence it deserves because I know exactly what it can do. As a Navy veteran and a former Tennessee State Park Ranger, I have spent a lifetime around firearms. I've lived the accountability side of service as a federal employee and a Veteran Services Officer. I've seen the vetting, the background checks, and the high standards we set for those who serve.

The Professional Standard A lot of folks don't realize that as a Park Ranger, I was state law enforcement. I went through a grueling 12 week police academy. Before I even stepped foot in that academy, I completed a 3 week pre-academy dedicated solely to firearm safety. That is 15 weeks of training, psychological evaluations, and fingerprinting before I was "certified" to carry a weapon on duty.

Compare that to the current standard in Tennessee. Today, a person can walk into a private sale or a gun show and walk out with a weapon of destruction with zero training, zero vetting, and zero questions asked. We require more documentation to drive a sedan on Highway 70 than we do to carry a concealed weapon in a crowded grocery store.

The Reality of the Loophole My wife worked at Academy Sports. She saw the system work when people failed background checks and were turned away. But our current laws allow those same people to bypass the counter entirely. They can meet a stranger in a parking lot and buy the same gun. This isn't a "right," it is a loophole that puts our families at risk.

This lack of accountability has consequences. Yesterday's tragedy at the White House Correspondents' Dinner is a stark reminder that even the most secure rooms are not immune to chaos. When a gunman opened fire at the Washington Hilton, guests were reminded that "good guys with guns" cannot always prevent the initial bloodshed. Even with elite Secret Service details present, an officer was still struck.

Support the Campaign

Protecting Our Own This isn't just about "big city" crime. As the only rural candidate in this race, I see the quiet tragedies in our own backyard. Tennessee ranks in the top 10 for firearm fatalities. More than half of those deaths are suicides.

For my fellow veterans, the statistics are even more haunting. Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than civilians. In our state, 75% of those suicides involve a firearm. When we allow a "no questions asked" system, we aren't protecting freedom. We are removing the safety net for our brothers and sisters in their darkest moments. A universal background check is a "cooling off" period that saves lives. It is a common-sense hurdle that says your life is worth more than a quick sale.

A Call for Responsibility Guns are tools of destruction that require a culture of respect. I support Universal Background Checks because I believe in the same vetting for the public that I was held to as an officer. It isn't about confiscation. It is about responsibility.

I'm not a 34-count felon. I have the right to own my weapon. I also have the responsibility to ensure that our laws reflect the seriousness of the tools we carry. Let's close the loopholes. Let's honor our veterans by making it harder for them to die in a moment of crisis. Let's bring reverence back to the Second Amendment.