The Tennessee Firearms Association is launching an initiative aimed at defeating Gov. Bill Lee’s proposed gun control measure. John Harris, the group’s executive director, says they’re calling the campaign “Red Flag Down.” Instead of separating dangerous people from guns, Harris argues that Tennessee gun owners want to see dangerous people separated from society, temporarily, for mental health treatment. Nashville Public Radio has more on the story.

Progressive activist Aftyn Behn defeated former Metro Council member Anthony Davis for the Democratic nomination to replace Rep. Bill Beck, D-Nashville, who died in June. Davis had been serving as the interim representative after the council appointed him to the post. Behn now will face Republican David Hooven in the general election scheduled for Sept. 14. The Tennessean has more on the race.

Democratic Representatives Justin Jones, D-Nashville, and Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, yesterday won their respective races to return to the state House of Representatives after being expelled in April for their involvement in gun safety protests. Both were reappointed by their respective city councils a week later and won their primary races in June. Jones defeated Republican Laura Nelson to retake House District 52. Pearson defeated independent candidate Jeff Johnston to retake House District 86. The Tennessean has more on their election.

Metro Nashville Council member Freddie O'Connell and Alice Rolli, a member of former Gov. Bill Haslam's administration, will advance to a runoff election on Sept. 14 to determine Nashville’s next mayor. The Tennessean reports that none of the 11 candidates garnered the necessary 50% plus one vote to win the election outright. O'Connell netted just over 27% of the vote while Rolli, a conservative business strategist and former campaign manager, earned 20%. The paper also has a wrap up of results from a number of Metro Council races as well as the race for vice mayor.

Make plans now to join the TBA YLD's Civil Rights Walking Tour in Chattanooga on Oct. 13. This unique CLE will run from 1:30-5 p.m. EDT and offer two hours of dual CLE credit. Participants will visit a number of important landmarks in the city's fight for civil rights and learn about the legal history that has made Chattanooga a more inclusive place to live and work.

Chattanooga lawyer Mark Johnson Mayfield died April 5 at the age of 91. A resident of Chattanooga since 1958, Mayfield received his law degree from the University of Tennessee, where he graduated first in his class and was a recipient of the Order of the COIF. He practiced law in Chattanooga for more than 40 years and was a member of the Chattanooga Bar Association. Memorial contributions may be made to Hearth Hospice, 513 Georgia Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said Congress has “no authority” to regulate the court in an interview with the Wall Street Journal published Friday, The Hill reports. “I know this is a controversial view, but I’m willing to say it,” Alito told the Journal. “No provision in the Constitution gives them the authority to regulate the Supreme Court — period.” Alito and other legal observers argue that Congress cannot prescribe regulations for the court without running afoul of separation of powers issues. The comments come as the U.S. Senate faces potential action on legislation mandating a binding ethics code for the court. Two weeks ago, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to advance the measure.

A Davidson County judge is under scrutiny following a report from the State Comptroller's Office that found the judge created a "potential conflict of interest" by funneling federal grant funds to a for-profit business. The report does not name the judge, but the business in question is owned by General Sessions Court Judge Rachel Bell and her wife Dr. Dorsha James Bell, the Tennessean reports. NewsChannel 5 reported in May that Bell received a $200,000 federal grant to establish a restorative justice diversion program and used part of the funds to rent office space for Solutions Now in a building owned by her parents. Bell did not disclose her ownership ties to the company on the initial grant documents. She has said it was "always understood” that she owned the company based on discussions during the grant application process. The comptroller said the expenses were legitimate but her failure to disclose her association with the company “created an appearance of impropriety.”

Ahead of this month’s special session, several state legislators from Memphis met with constituents to hear what they would like to see accomplished during the session. Members of the Memphis Police Department joined about 50 people Tuesday night at the Riverside Missionary Baptist Church to talk about legislative proposals to address crime and violence in the city. The Commercial Appeal reports that those who spoke called for greater youth resources and stronger gun laws.

Officials from the U.S. Department of Justice said this week they are "just getting started" in their pattern or practice investigation of the Memphis Police Department. According to the Commercial Appeal, officials from the department held their first meeting via a Zoom call to explain the investigation to Memphians, introduce themselves and allow residents to pose questions as they prepare for the investigation.