The Safe Tennessee Project organized a 26 minute sit in outside Rep. Marsha Blackburn’s Franklin office Wednesday afternoon  as part of nationwide “day of action” to draw attention to the inaction of congress to pass common sense gun law legislation supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans, and Tennesseans.  Organizations across the country held similar events, urged on by the members of congress who led the historic 26 hour sit-in a week ago and created a trending hashtag, #DisarmHate.

“We will be gathering outside Rep. Blackburn’s office this afternoon to urge her to take action on expanding background checks for all gun purchases and closing the terror gap that allows suspected terrorists legally purchase guns – two key pieces of legislation that will keep Americans safer,” said Beth Joslin Roth, policy director for The Safe Tennessee Project. “Public support for these measures is overwhelming.  We know that recent polling shows 92% of Americans support background checks.  Here in Tennessee, 83%-84% of Tennesseans favor expanding background checks to all gun sales.  Avoiding action on these issues is not representing the will of the people.”

– – Fast facts about Tennessee background checks- – According to the TBI, over the last five years:  – Over 50,000 prohibited purchasers have been prevented from buying a gun – Over 2,300 wanted criminals were caught when they attempted to purchase a gun According to polling done by Vandy and MTSU:  – 84% of Tennesseans favor background checks for private sales and gun shows – Vandy 12/15 – 72% of Tennesse “tea party supporters” favor background checks for private sales and gun shows – Vandy 12/15 – 83% of Tennesseans favor “making private gun sales at gun shows subject to background checks” – MTSU 11/15 – 78% of Tennessee “gun rights supporters” favor “making private gun sales at gun shows subject to background checks” – MTSU 11/15