| By

Sen. Mae Beavers has hired private security to patrol the hallways of Legislative Plaza, reports The Tennessean.

Beavers, R-Mt. Juliet, has been the focus of steep opposition to a number of pieces of legislation lately that focus on hot-button issues like abortion, the definition of marriage and the freedom to carry guns anywhere in the state.

Adam Kleinheider, spokesman for Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, said Thursday that the security officers have not been authorized by leadership, and have been explicitly told to not carry weapons.

Security at Legislative Plaza is provide by Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers, and are the only ones legally authorized to do so, Kleinheider said. Sergeants at Arms maintain order and decorum in committee rooms and chambers.

“That said, members of the Senate are permitted to have any guests of their choosing join them in the plaza or the capitol,” Kleinheider said.

…Justin Jones, a student at Fisk University who often organizes protests and demonstrations at the capitol, told the Tennessean that the security prevented him from meeting with Beavers on Wednesday. Jones is not Beavers’ constituent, and she has only agreed to meet with constituents individually for 10 minutes each in recent weeks.

UPDATE: Tennessee Star reports that Beavers disputes the account as a “manufactured story,” saying she has not hired her own personal security.

Two men who are political friends are voluntarily helping protect her office but she did not seek their help, she said. Beavers said veterans from across the state have also volunteered to help but she has not taken them up on their offer.

Beavers said she has received a few death threats in recent weeks, including one that put her on a kill list along with President Trump and other nationally-known conservatives, as well as state Rep. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon).