Tennessee Firearms Associaon Claims Victory In Primary Elecons Gun rights served as common undercurrent in mulple elecons NASHVILLE, TN - The Tennessee Firearms Associaon played both a successful oense and defense in the August 8th primary elecons. The TFA supported several pro-gun incumbent legislators who held their seats by a wide margin while also successfully supporng challengers against two incumbents with a history of opposing rearms legislaon. "The big government wing of the Republican Party lost the elecon in the grand scheme of things" observes John Harris, Execuve Director of the Tennessee Firearms Associaon. "Legislators the TFA backed who staunchly support the right to keep and bear arms ended up retaining their seats while opponents of gun bills lost or nearly lost their seats. This success sends a strong reminder that Tennesseans consider the right to keep and bear arms fundamental and gun issues cannot be ignored in legislave elecons" Two pro-gun legislators, Senator Mae Beavers and Representave Courtney Rogers, were challenged by candidates backed by the establishment. However the TFA support of Sen. Beavers and Rep. Rogers helped ensure they held their seats with wide margins. TFA was also heavily involved in the challenge to 18-year incumbent Representave Charles Sargent by local entrepreneur Steve Gawrys. The race ended with Rep. Sargent almost losing his seat by a margin of 254 votes causing the elecon to likely face a recount. Polical experts have noted that if Rep. Sargent ulmately ends up victorious in this race, he will probably not seek another term in 2016 aer taking heavy damage to his credibility and electability this me. Local high school teacher David Byrd in Waynesboro overthrew the embaled incumbent Representave Vance Dennis with the help of a TFA direct mail program. Representave Dennis worked behind the scenes at the Capitol to kill pro-gun bills. Although TFA does not play in federal races, John Harris also commented that "The TN 4th Congressional race and the US Senate race both demonstrate the need for closed primaries and runo elecons in Tennessee". about:blank 1 of 2 8/9/2014 5:12 PM The Tennessee Firearms Associaon was founded in 1995 and formed to defend the right to keep and bear arms in Tennessee. The TFA is Tennessee's only no-compromise gun group. ### about:blank 2 of 2 8/9/2014 5:12 PM