Three conservative moms from The Covenant School in Tennessee, driven by a school shooting, courageously enter the world of gun control activism in a Republican-controlled state. They face challenges at the capitol, debate democracy, and advocate for change, but ultimately leave disappointed by the lack of impactful legislation for school safety.
Encountering strict regulations and minimal progress, the uphill battle for legislative change remains daunting.
Deep dives
Tennessee's State Politics and Gun Legislation
Tennessee's state-level politics take center stage as the Republican Party's control leads to controversial decisions and actions. Following a school shooting in Nashville, the push for gun control leads to major protests and legislative confrontations. The expulsion of Democratic lawmakers advocating for gun control highlights the intense disagreements within the state legislature. The episode sheds light on the complex dynamics and challenges faced when one party dominates a state's political landscape.
Mothers Turned Activists: Pushing for Change
The tragedy of the Covenant School shooting mobilizes mothers like Sarah, Melissa, and Mary to become vocal advocates for gun control. Struggling against conservative attitudes and existing gun laws, these women venture into the political arena for the first time. Their journey to influence change through advocacy, protests, and direct engagement reveals the personal transformation and challenges faced by ordinary citizens in seeking impactful legislative outcomes.
Capitol Confrontations and Legislative Frustrations
As the women pursue legislative change, they encounter barriers and resistance in Tennessee's Capitol. Their efforts to testify against gun-related bills are met with stringent rules, including restrictions on signs and disruptions during hearings. Despite emotional testimonies and extensive lobbying, the legislative process remains daunting and largely unyielding, culminating in minimal progress towards substantial gun control measures.
Struggles for Impact and Reflections on Democracy
The women's journey underscores the uphill battle for influence and change within a dominant political system. Confronted with challenges, setbacks, and limited legislative success, they grapple with the complexities of democracy and representation. Their experiences navigating Capitol politics reflect broader debates on constitutional principles, citizens' voices, and the efficacy of grassroots activism within entrenched political structures.
In 2023, a mass shooter attacked The Covenant School, a private Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, and three mothers were compelled to act. Their mission: help pass some kind of gun control in one of the reddest states in the country, a state where the Republican Party has a supermajority in the legislature. But these women aren't your typical gun control activists. They're lifelong conservatives, believers in the Second Amendment and – at first – sure that their own party will understand their concerns. In episode 1 of Supermajority from NPR's Embedded, host Meribah Knight follows the women as they enter the state capitol for the first time in their adult lives. Will these political newcomers get what they came for? And what happens if they challenge those in power to do it? To listen to this series sponsor-free and support NPR, sign up for Embedded+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.