Coach Willard Ross Act of 2009
In 2007, a Clarksville coach and teacher, Willard Ross, was shot and killed by a stray bullet in a Wal-Mart parking lot. The man who shot Coach Ross had a prior criminal record and did not have lawful possession of the handgun.
After receiving a letter from Mr. Ross’s family, representative Joe Pitts along with Senator Tim Barnes sponsored a bill intended to give law enforcement officers another tool to keep guns out of the hands of felony offenders. The law was passed in May 2009 and was officially entitled the Coach Willard Ross Act of 2009.
Effective July 1, 2009, the Act creates a Class A misdemeanor offense for purchases or attempted purchases of firearms by those who are prohibited from owning, possessing or purchasing firearms by state or federal law. The Act also creates a Class A misdemeanor offense for an individual who sells or offers to sell a firearm to a person whom he knows is prohibited from owning, purchasing or possessing a firearm according to state or federal law.
State law prohibits a person with a past felony conviction from possessing a handgun. Violation of this law is a Class E felony.
If you have a criminal history and are charged with a gun crime in Tennessee, you will need to consult with an attorney experienced in Tennessee gun crime law. To speak with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in East Tennessee from Baker Associates, call 866-853-2888.
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