Gun owners deserve more than campaign slogans. TGO asked candidates to put their positions in writing on Red Flag confiscation, Tennessee’s “intent to go armed” statute, state preemption, campus carry, private firearm transfers, semiautomatic firearm bans, SAPA, tenant gun rights, and financial surveillance.

This guide focuses on contested Republican primaries and publishes TGO’s candidate ratings, survey results, and the candidates’ answers to Q11 in their own words.

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If you are already in line when the polls close, you will still be allowed to vote.

Use Tennessee’s official GoVoteTN service to find your assigned Election Day polling place,
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Monty Fritts returned TGO’s gubernatorial survey 100% pro-gun and received a 100% Pro-Gun rating from Tennessee Gun Owners.

View Monty Fritts’ Signed Survey

“ No Q11 response was available because no completed survey was found. ”

“The Second Amendment is a fundamental constitutional right that protects the ability of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves, their families, and their freedoms. I believe our rights come from God, not government, and I will always oppose unconstitutional infringements on the right to keep and bear arms while defending due process and the Constitution.”

“The right of the people to keep and bear arms.”

“The 2nd amendment means what it says and has been reaffirmed by SCOTUS decisions like DC v. Heller, New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, and several other cases thought the years. The 2nd amendment is essential in protecting us from government overreach, protecting our families, and personal property. As a former police officer, I understand the importance of taking personal responsibility for your own safety because 911 is almost always at least 5 minutes away in populated cities; response times are longer in more rural areas of TN.”

“Yes. I support no second amendment restrictions whatsoever. The constitution is clear on the matter. I am a constitutional conservative and I believe in the constitution as written.”

“ No Q11 response was available because no completed survey was found. ”

“ No Q11 response was available because no completed survey was found. ”

“The Second Amendment is not a permission slip from government—it is a constitutional right that protects the ability of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves and their families. It also reflects a hard lesson from America’s founding: a free people must never be left defenseless against a tyrannical government. The right to keep and bear arms was an important safeguard against oppression and a reminder that government ultimately answers to the people. Tennesseans should not be treated like criminals simply for exercising that right.”

“ No Q11 response was available because no completed survey was found. ”

“ No Q11 response was available because no completed survey was found. ”

“Absolutely. The only thing a gun free zone does is make it criminal friendly. I don’t know of a single case where the bad guy followed the law.”

“The right to keep, carry and bear arms for law-abiding US citizens.”

“To me, the Second Amendment is far more than words on paper. It is a God-given, constitutionally protected right that safeguards all of our other freedoms. It recognizes the inherent right of every law-abiding citizen to defend themselves, their family, and their property. It was never intended to apply only to hunting or sport shooting. It exists to ensure that a free people remain free and that government remains accountable to the people. As a lifelong hunter, sportsman, and strong supporter of the Constitution, I believe the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The Second Amendment is also deeply personal to me. I am an avid hunter, a lifetime Tennessee hunting and fishing license holder, and someone who has spent countless days in the woods with family and friends. This year alone, I harvested five wild boar. Hunting is not just a hobby. It is part of my family’s heritage, a cherished Tennessee tradition, and a way of life that has been passed down through generations. As a lifelong sportsman, I understand that the Second Amendment is about preserving both our constitutional liberties and the outdoor traditions that define our state. As a State Representative, I will stand firmly against efforts to erode those rights and will proudly sponsor and support legislation that protects and strengthens the Second Amendment for future generations of Tennesseans.”

“ No Q11 response was available because no completed survey was found. ”

“The Second Amendment means that our forefathers set up the right and freedom for law-abiding citizens to have and carry firearms for hunting and self-defense.”

“Article I, Section 26 of the Tennessee Constitution states: “That the citizens of this State have a right to keep and to bear arms for their common defense…” The phrase “common defense” is historically significant. Unlike many states that later amended their constitutions to emphasize personal self-defense, Tennessee retained militia-style language — meaning the right exists not only for individual protection, but as a safeguard against governmental overreach and invasion. Protection against invasion means military grade weapons are protected under both the Tennessee and federal constitutions. If government can restrict arms, it can restrict speech, privacy, and due process. The Second Amendment becomes the measuring stick for all liberty. Our rights come from nature and nature’s God — not the legislature or courts. Government therefore cannot pre-approve or limit their exercise. The right to keep and bear arms is not only for self-defense, but to preserve political liberty. I have proven myself many times over defending liberty at great personal cost in our courts and legislative houses for more than a decade and will continue to do so, elected or not.”

“ No Q11 response was available because no completed survey was found. ”

“ No Q11 response was available because no completed survey was found. ”

“ No Q11 response was available because no completed survey was found. ”

“To me, it represents freedom, personal responsibility, and the right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves, their families, and their property. The Second Amendment is a cornerstone of our Constitution, and I will always stand up for the rights of gun owners.”

“ No Q11 response was available because no completed survey was found. ”

“Yes. Gun free zones are safe free zones. They don’t work and they encourage crime.”

“Our founding fathers saw how critically important it was to give citizens the right to defend themselves. Therefore, they gave us the 2nd amendment guaranteeing law-abiding citizens the right to keep and bear arms without government infringement. I believe it is the government’s job to protect this right.”

“ No Q11 response was available because no completed survey was found. ”

Poll opening times vary by county. All polls close at
8:00 p.m. Eastern / 7:00 p.m. Central.
Voters who are in line when the polls close are permitted to cast a ballot.

Search by voter or address through Tennessee’s official Election Day polling-location system.

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The Tennessee Secretary of State’s GoVoteTN page provides the official list of poll-opening times by county,
sample ballots, and other Election Day information.

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