Kirk A. Bado

USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Gov. Bill Haslam signed a bill into law Thursday morning that aims to punish those convicted of domestic abuse who attempt to purchase a firearm.

The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, and state Rep. Karen Camper, D-Memphis, gives more teeth to current laws on illegal purchases of a firearm. The law requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to alert local officials when dangerous individuals — such as domestic abusers facing a final order of protection — fail a background check when attempting to purchase a gun.

"Before, nothing would happen and that's where the story ended," said Kathleen Wright, spokeswoman for the Tennessee chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. "But now the TBI will be alerted and they will give that information to law enforcement who will be able to investigate and take it a step further."

Haslam signed the bill along with more than 50 other pieces of legislation in the War Memorial Auditorium on Thursday. Legislators, lobbyists and advocacy organizations also joined the governor at the event. The bill received widespread bipartisan support this year.

"It's the perfect example of being able to protect people's personal rights in owning a gun, while also keeping people safe," Wright said.

Tennessee has had a deadly history pairing guns and domestic abuse. Between 2006 and 2014, 68 men and 190 women have died in domestic violence-related shootings, according to a study conducted by The Associated Press.

"It is a baby step, but we are so excited that even though Tennessee was voted as the most conservative legislature in the country we are able to find common ground to say 'we believe in the Second Amendment, but there are things that we can do to save lives and promote public safety," Wright said.



