Rep. Pearson confronts Rep. Farmer over gun legislation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — State Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) confronted fellow state Rep. Andrew Farmer (R-Sevierville) after a back-and-forth between the two turned personal during a committee meeting.

In the footage from the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee Wednesday, March 26, other lawmakers — including House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) — are seen holding Pearson back from confronting Farmer, who continued to look away.

Pearson was presenting a bill to end permitless carry of firearms in Tennessee. Pearson had been away from the Tennessee State Capitol due to his brother's suicide late last year.

"We need to do something about the gun violence epidemic, we have the power to do something about the gun violence epidemic, and we don't just have to offer some empty thoughts and prayers," Pearson said.

However, after Pearson called out a Republican for trying to end the debate, Farmer called out Pearson.

"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, so I understand where you're at and what you are doing and why, but at the end of the day, we've been here working," Farmer said.

Pearson thanked Farmer for his comments, which he said incensed him and made him very angry.

"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, but let me explain to you what I have been doing, Representative, since you asked. My brother, Timphrance Darnell Pearson, one of the loves of my life, passed away from gun suicide on December 1st of 2024, and since that happened, it's shattered my family like gun violence has shattered so many families," the Memphis lawmaker said.

The situation escalated from there, with Pearson raising his voice while explaining that he'd been planning his brother's funeral and making sure he was taken care of, even in death. The chairman tried to regain control, cutting off Pearson's microphone, but that didn't stop him.

Farmer said the attack was not personal, but the two lawmakers do have a history. Farmer was one of the House members who spoke on the House floor before the expulsion of Pearson and state Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville).

After Pearson's bill failed, you can see him go toward the members. Farmer sat still and stared the other way while Pearson was restrained by others. The chairman called for a recess. Both Pearson and Farmer left the committee room, but Farmer eventually came back after Pearson was gone.

“There is not a single member of our body who doesn’t have tremendous sympathy for Rep. Pearson’s loss. Every one of us has struggled with personal tragedy at some point and we have all offered grace and compassion while he took these last few months off to grieve," Farmer said in a statement sent to News 2 Wednesday afternoon. "Unfortunately, on his first day back, Rep. Pearson took the first available opportunity to attack and demean his colleagues and then attempted to confront me physically. I will continue to pray for him, and I hope he finds peace and healing.”

Pearson shared his own statement on Instagram, saying, "Out of all the things imaginable, I never though I would have to defend grieving my brother in a General Assembly subcommittee. It's sad how low some people are willing to go for sound bite. Farmer, I would never treat another person the way you treated me. No matter how personal it gets on the floor, family and loved ones, especially those who have passed away, are off limits."