Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Charitable Solicitations Division is attempting to reclassify political advocacy organizations as “charities” which would allow increased oversight into the operations of these organizations. It might also might be a pretext to obtain increased oversight and perhaps even for the basis to claim the authority to inspect the books of organizations critical of Governor Bill Haslam and the state legislature. The Tennessee Charitable Solicitations Divisions issued a specific written demand in July that the Tennessee Firearms Association register as a “charity” even though the TFA does not act as a charity nor is it recognized as a 501(c)(3) charity by the IRS.
“This is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to muzzle political opposition.” pointed out John Harris, Executive Director of the Tennessee Firearms Association. “If they can do this to the TFA, then they can do it to any other grassroots group. Who will be next?”
In a tactic similar to the recent federal IRS attacks on tea party groups, the Charitable Solicitations Division arbitrarily set a deadline of August 1 for the TFA to register as a “charity.” The timing of this is in line with the primary election cycle where the TFA and the affiliated TFA Legislative Action Committee played heavily in multiple state legislative elections.
“This is clearly a case of political retribution for targeting establishment politicians in the recent election cycle” Harris continued.
The Tennessee Firearms Association is a 501(c)4 organization under federal regulations and is not classified as a charitable organization by the IRS.
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(Editor’s Note: The above communication is a news release and does not necessarily reflect the editorial position of FITSNews.com. To submit your letter, news release, email blast, media advisory or issues statement for publication, click here).
10 comments
Not surprising. The politicians do more and more to increase their strangle hold on OUR seats, be they in a Legislature or in Congress.
I wonder why a Republican Governor would be afraid of a gun rights group? Is he a RINO?
Probably. No shortages of RINO’s in our jungles these days.
Well he was a member of MAIG when he was in Knoxville.
Thanks, Shootbull! That explains a lot!
Isn’t this, in fact, the flip side of the IRS situation? The IRS claimed many political groups (not all TP, despite claims to the contrary) were masquerading as non-profits or charitable organizations to raise money and avoid IRS scrutiny. Now the Tennessee gun group wants to claim political cover to avoid being considered a charitable or non-profit organization.
The RINOs in the Republican establishment are acting more and more like Obummer and his cronies all the time.
“target” gun rights… hahahahah!
“(Editor’s Note: The above communication is a news release”
News release by who?
This organization (and many others on both sides of the isle) is a perfect example of “We the People” using their First Amendment Rights. This is nothing more than a blatant violation of that right. NO government has the right to control what we say or tell us how we may and may not spend our money. Haslam have his word that, if elected governor, he would sign a Bill allowing a true recognition of the Second Amendment “if it comes across my desk”. Then he made back room deals to prevent it from making it to his desk by way of Charles Sargent. Because we dared to voice our opinions and show facts about how much he has lied to us, he is attempting to subvert our rights to the First Amendment as well as the Second.