Bredesen had an A rating from the NRA as governor , but in 2018 , the NRA gave him a D rating . During his Senate campaign , he has expressed his support for the 2nd Amendment and described himself as a gun owner . His campaign disagrees with the D rating and has responded that Bredesen " agrees with 80-plus percent of NRA 's positions but differs , for example , by supporting gun show background checks . " In the wake of the February 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting , Bredesen called for universal background checks for gun purchases ( including those made at gun shows ) , tighter checks for mental illness , and a ban on bump stocks . As governor , he vetoed bills to allow guns in bars or restaurants that serve alcohol . He also signed into law a bill allowing gun owners with handgun permits to carry their firearms in public parks . In 2009 , Bredesen said he would not veto a bill exempting certain firearms from federal regulations , allowing the bill to become law without his signature , but he had vetoed a similar bill earlier ( his veto was overridden )
Stoneman Douglas High School shooting
Stoneman Douglas High School shooting
Phil Bredesen