Tenn. Dem Loses Cool, Throws a Temper Tantrum After Gun Bill Fails [WATCH]

A heated altercation unfolded on Wednesday between two Tennessee state representatives, leading to a physical confrontation during a contentious debate over a failed gun control bill.

Rep. Justin Pearson (D) and Rep. Andrew Farmer (R) clashed during a meeting of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee after Pearson’s proposed gun control legislation failed to make it through the committee.

According to social media videos and reports from those in the room, the argument escalated when Farmer, frustrated by Pearson’s comments about gun violence, responded to Pearson’s accusations.

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Pearson had claimed that the committee had done nothing to address gun violence, prompting an angry rebuttal from Farmer.

He argued that it wasn’t fair for Pearson to say that nothing had been done, referencing Pearson’s absence during some of the legislative discussions.

Pearson, visibly upset, shot back that his absence was due to the recent death of his brother, who had died by gun suicide in December.

In his response, Pearson claimed that Farmer was “personally” attacking him, which further fueled the heated exchange.

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“It is a pathetic excuse for you to not answer the question of why we are doing nothing about the gun violence epidemic, then to personally attack me,” Pearson said.

Pearson then went on to explain the personal toll his brother’s death had taken on him and his family.

“Since that happened, it shattered my family like gun violence has shattered so many families,” Pearson said.

“I buried my brother. I planned for his entire funeral, my fiancée made his obituary, I made sure that he was taken care of – even in death.”

However, Pearson’s emotional response didn’t end the conflict.

As the two representatives continued to argue, Pearson reportedly became increasingly agitated.

A reporter from WKRN noted that Pearson was seen shouting at Farmer, telling him to “learn when to shut up” before physically charging at him.

Meanwhile in Nashville, State Rep. Justin Pearson (Memphis) lunges at Rep. Andrew Farmer (Sevierville) during a heated debate over gun legislation. Video: WKRN pic.twitter.com/Gh01uRC2az

— KWAM News Radio 990 AM Memphis (@Mighty990KWAM) March 26, 2025

Pearson had to be restrained by others in the room as the situation grew more intense.

Tennessee Democrat gets confrontational over proposed gun legislation in a committee hearing.

The 30 year-old Justin Pearson represents Memphis and can be seen here putting his finger in the face of a Republican. pic.twitter.com/Ig4jxiX87R

— Booker (@RealBookerScott) March 26, 2025

The confrontation did not go unnoticed by the audience, as some were heard shouting for Pearson not to be restrained, seemingly implying that physical intimidation toward fellow lawmakers should be allowed.

This sparked further tension in the already volatile situation.

Here’s the full video of the confrontation my photographer captured. @FOXNashville https://t.co/K3TBH75rTw pic.twitter.com/t8TEYxZxgO

— Amanda Chin (@amandachintv) March 26, 2025

This incident is not the first time Rep. Pearson has been involved in physical confrontations in the Tennessee legislature.

Pearson was one of the members of the “Tennessee Three,” a group of three lawmakers who became the center of controversy in March 2023 during a disruption in the legislature by gun control activists.

During the event, Pearson, along with fellow Rep. Justin Jones, participated in protests that led to a disruption of the session, with the activists taking the speaker’s podium and yelling through a bullhorn.

Both Pearson and Jones were expelled from the legislature but were later reinstated by their respective city councils.

Pearson’s aggressive behavior was also noted in a previous altercation in August 2023.

During a floor debate about adding more police officers to public schools, Pearson and Jones were involved in a confrontation with Speaker Cameron Sexton.

Pearson allegedly got in between Sexton and another representative, leading to a physical exchange that escalated further.

HAPPENING NOW: Chaotic ending to the TN Special Session as Rep. Justin Pearson approaches Speaker Sexton with a sign and is pushed away by security. pic.twitter.com/eRZou1QUtQ

— WKRN News 2 (@WKRN) August 29, 2023

Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) condemned the behavior in a post on X.

After numerous calls for violence from Democrats across the country like Jasmine Crockett, Justin Pearson is following suit with his extreme leftist comrades.

This kind of behavior has no place in our government. He is an embarrassment to the great State of Tennessee! https://t.co/U9Stset74W

— Rep. Diana Harshbarger (@RepHarshbarger) March 26, 2025

As the Tennessee legislature faces ongoing challenges regarding gun control and other contentious issues, Pearson’s actions have sparked debate about the standards of conduct expected from lawmakers. This latest confrontation only adds to the growing concerns about the level of decorum in the state legislature.

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