In a heated exchange surrounding America’s gun violence epidemic, Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson (D-Memphis) confronted Rep. Andrew Farmer (R-Sevierville) during a tense House subcommittee hearing on Wednesday.
The meeting at the Capitol in Nashville was intended to discuss gun control measures, including Pearson’s bill to end permit-less carry. However, the conversation quickly escalated when personal attacks were allegedly made against Pearson’s family.
Pearson, who lost his brother Temperance Darnell Pearson to gun suicide in December 2024, has been an outspoken advocate for stricter gun control laws. As he passionately spoke about his family’s tragedy and the inadequacies of current legislation, Rep. Farmer attempted to dismiss Pearson’s remarks by accusing him of being absent during committee sessions.
“I know every member in this committee has been here this year working during committee, during session, voting on bills. And I know you may have some things going on, but you have not. So, I don’t think it’s fair for you to come in front of this committee and lecture us on hard work and convictions, and hard work for our committee,” said Rep. Farmer.
The comment triggered an emotional response from Pearson, who felt Farmer was downplaying the devastation his family had recently endured.
“It is a pathetic excuse for you to not answer the question of why we are doing nothing about the gun violence epidemic, than to personally attack me,” Pearson said. “My brother, Temperance Darnell Pearson, one of the loves of my life, passed away from gun suicide on December 1st of 2024. And since that happened, it shattered my family like gun violence has shattered so many families.”
Pearson continued to describe the pain and turmoil his family has endured, explaining that his absence from the committee was due to planning his brother’s funeral and ensuring his grieving nephew received proper mental health support.
“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,” he added. “And while you’re talking about hard work, you need to realize that our job is not just to help people. It’s to help people.”
Visibly agitated, Pearson launched into a powerful monologue about what he believes is the true purpose of government leadership:
“Hard work doesn’t just happen by sitting there and shutting up and passing a bill; it’s doing the hard work of justice,” he said. “And we have the power to do something about the gun violence epidemic. We don’t just have to offer some empty thoughts and prayers.”
According to multiple reporters in attendance, Pearson was seen yelling at Rep. Farmer and telling him to “learn when to shut up” before charging at him. It took several people to restrain Pearson, who eventually left the meeting in frustration.
Later in an interview with WREG, Pearson expressed his anger over how the situation was handled.
“I can disagree and we can disagree on any policy or legislation, but you do not attack people’s family,” said Pearson. “This wasn’t about policy, this was about humanity and dignity and how you treat people. He was disrespectful and he was rude and he was mean and he was evil.”
