The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has told Tennessee gun dealers to disregard a state statute that exempts firearms made and sold inside Tennessee from federal gun laws and registration, reports the Memphis Commercial Appeal. ATF says the federal laws still apply regardless of the state’s move.
The Tennessee legislature this year approved the “Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act,” which says that the federal government has no jurisdiction over firearms and ammunition made within the state of Tennessee. ATF Nashville agent in charge James Cavanaugh said the Supreme Court has upheld federal gun laws. He said, “It’s analogous to a speed limit. If the speed limit on the interstate is set at 70, a city along the interstate can’t come along and say there is no speed limit on the interstate through our city. The highway patrol could still enforce the speed limit.”