Posted 4/12/23

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee Tuesday signed an executive order aimed at strengthening background checks for firearm purchases, in addition to calling for lawmakers to pass an order of protection law to keep guns away from people who present a danger to themselves or others.

The executive order sets a 72-hour period for reporting new criminal activity and court mental health information to the Tennessee Instant Check System, the background check system operated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The order also directs the TBI to issue a report in two months to Lee's office and the General Assembly on any barriers to complete, accurate, and timely reporting of information that is accessible in Tennessee Instant Check System.