Conservative State Representative and 7th District Congressional candidate Jody Barrett is celebrating Friday’s court ruling striking down Tennessee’s unconstitutional “intent to go armed” and “parks” statutes. On August 22, 2025, a three-judge panel declared both laws unconstitutional and void statewide, marking a massive win for the Second Amendment and the rights of law-abiding Tennesseans.
Barrett, widely recognized as Tennessee’s most conservative legislator and a leading defender of the Second Amendment, praised the ruling as a turning point for gun rights in the state.
“This is a huge victory for the Second Amendment and for every Tennessean who believes in freedom,” said Barrett. “These statutes criminalized carrying a firearm, treating responsible gun owners as presumptive criminals for carrying arms in public, even on their own property. This ruling restores common sense and constitutional protection and reaffirms what we’ve always known: the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
The Tennessee Firearms Association has also praised the court decision and issued a challenge to candidates for public office in Tennessee, asking who “is going to unequivocally demand that all infringements prohibited by the Second Amendment to be immediately repealed?”
Barrett is the only candidate in the 7th District special election race to immediately and publicly answer that challenge.
“I want Tennesseans to know the answer is clear: I will,” pledged Barrett. “I’ve already proven it by authoring and passing Tennessee’s Anti-Red Flag law, by being one of only four Republicans willing to shut down Governor Lee’s red flag session, and by fighting every single attempt to erode our constitutional rights. That’s not talk, that’s action. And that’s exactly what I’ll take to Washington.”
Barrett has consistently led the fight for Tennesseans’ Second Amendment rights. He authored and passed Tennessee’s Anti-Red Flag law, ensuring that gun owners are protected from unconstitutional government overreach, and was one of only four Republicans who voted to shut down Governor Bill Lee’s red flag special session, standing firm when others caved to pressure.
