NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A private group called the Tennessee Task Force on National and Homeland Security is holding a closed-door briefing for lawmakers at the Capitol Wednesday.
Spokesman Jeff Hartline says the group is "all about safety, security and sniffing out threats." While leaders tout expertise in Islamic terrorism and electromagnetic pulse weapons, Hartline says the group is concerned with all manner of security concerns.
According to a provided biography of Jonna Z. Bianco, the director of the Murfreesboro-based group, is a former vice president of a similar national organization created by the electromagnetic pulse caucus of the U.S. Congress.
Republican state Rep. Rick Womick of Murfreesboro claimed in a 2013 hearing that an electromagnetic weapon had earlier been set off in Shelbyville.
Officials say they have no record of such an attack.