Reinstated Tennessee lawmaker blocked from carrying infant-sized casket onto House floor in latest gun protest

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Expelled Tennessee Democrat lawmakers dominate media coverage

Mockingbird Lab Political Strategist Lucy Caldwell and National Review editor Rich Lowry discuss the media coverage surrounding the Tennessee State House and if media coverage turned the expelled Democrats into heroes

Two state lawmakers previously expelled and reinstated from the Tennessee state legislature appeared at the Capitol carrying coffins during a gun control protest.

Democratic state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson appeared at a political demonstration Monday calling for government action to more aggressively restrict gun ownership.

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Demonstrators carry caskets to the entrance of the state Capitol to protest gun violence as part of the Tennessee Moral Monday rally in Nashville, April 17, 2023. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

The protests were organized by Bishop William Barber II of the Protestant Disciples of Christ church. 

Attendees carried caskets meant to symbolize victims of gun violence.

'TENNESSEE THREE' DEMOCRAT JUSTIN JONES PICTURED STANDING ON POLICE CAR DURING 2020 BLM PROTEST

Rep. Justin Pearson holds a casket outside the House chambers Monday, April 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. Pearson tried to bring a casket to the House floor, calling for lawmakers to support gun safety legislation. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Jones, who was reinstated to the General Assembly last week, used his access as a lawmaker to bring an infant-sized casket into the legislature.

The sergeant-at-arms stopped Jones from bringing the prop onto the floor of the assembly.

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Rev. William J. Barber speaks with Rep. Justin Jones on the floor of the House chamber Monday, April 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Pearson was also present, holding a separate infant-sized casket at the door of the assembly.

Democrats Pearson, Jones and Rep. Gloria Johnson, who have been called the "Tennessee Three," interrupted a House session on March 30, just three days after a shooting conducted by a transgender activist at a Christian school left three 9-year-olds and three adults dead.

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Rep. Justin Jones carries a casket through the halls of the state Capitol with Rev. William J. Barber, Monday, April 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. ((AP Photo/George Walker IV))

All three lawmakers faced possible expulsion for "disorderly behavior," though Johnson, who is White, did not use a bullhorn to rally gun control protesters.

Fox News' Greg Wehner contributed to this report.