NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Protesters calling for gun security laws had been blocked from bringing caskets inside Tennessee’s Capitol, however a just lately reinstated legislator escorted an infant-sized casket inside earlier than he was barred from carrying it onto the House ground.

Protesters led by Bishop William Barber II marched in Nashville, demanding that lawmakers go the laws and cease utilizing their authority to trample democracy. They carried a number of caskets symbolizing these misplaced to gun violence on Monday.

“The legislators are back, but returning duly elected lawmakers to their seat does not solve the problem,” Barber mentioned, demanding that lawmakers “stop committing policy murder.”

The deadly taking pictures of six folks at a Nashville personal faculty final month kicked off a stream of requires modifications to Tennessee’s gun legal guidelines, together with a ban on assault weapons, more durable background checks and a “red flag” legislation. Republican Gov. Bill Lee has urged lawmakers to go laws that might maintain firearms away from individuals who might hurt themselves or others. So far, the Republican supermajority has refused.

Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, each Democrats, returned to the GOP-dominated General Assembly final week after being ousted for his or her position in a pro-gun management demonstration from the House ground. The episode has turned Tennessee into a brand new entrance within the battle for the way forward for American democracy and pressured lawmakers to handle gun management in a state recognized for its lax firearm rules.

On Monday, when protesters had been blocked from bringing caskets inside, Jones carried an infant-sized casket previous troopers and safety, however the sergeant-at-arms stopped him from bringing it onto the ground. As Jones entered the chamber after the session and tried unsuccessfully to get the eye of Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Pearson held the casket on the door. As Sexton left, he stopped for a second to talk to a couple protesters.

PHOTOS: Gun security demonstrators carry caskets to Tennessee Capitol

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