A former Tennessee lawmaker decried his home state as the "most undemocratic state in the nation" following his expulsion from the state legislature.

Ex-state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson (D), were both booted from the legislature last week after leading chants for gun control with bullhorns inside the state House floor. Both ex-lawmakers slammed their removal as an infringement on the will of the voters.

EXPULSION OF TWO LAWMAKERS COULD BACKFIRE ON TENNESSEE GOP MAJORITY

"Tennessee is the most undemocratic state in the nation. Even in committees, you're silenced from talking about the issues. When we tried to talk about the issue of mass shootings that plagued our community, we were silenced," Jones told NBC's Meet the Press with Chuck Todd.

Traditionally explosions from state legislatures are reserved for criminal activity. Jones and Pearson protested for gun control in the wake of the Covenant school shooting last month that left three children, three adults, and the shooter dead.

"Instead of responding to the grief and trauma of our community, the House Speaker Cameron Sexton once again silenced us even on the day of our protests," Jones added.

Notably, state Rep. Gloria Johnson (D) joined in the protest as well but was not booted. Some have argued that the fact that she's white may have played a role in her receiving a lighter punishment than Jones and Pearson, who are both black. She was spared by one vote, and a lawmaker contended that she played less of a role in the disruption than the other two.

"They're really sending signals that you don't belong here. And that is what the underlying and undergirding comments and responses that we heard on the House floor and the comments to myself and my brother, Representative Jones," Pearson said. "They are afraid of the changes that are happening in our society and the voices that have been elevated."

"This is hurting poor white people, their attack on democracy hurt. I want to emphasize that because I don't want this to just be about race, because this is about an attack on black, brown, and poor white communities, silencing them. These lawmakers are more beholden to the NRA than their own people," he said.

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Both Jones and Pearson contended that they would accept an appointment from the Shelby County Commission or vie for a way back into the state legislature through a special election.

Vice President Kamala Harris visited Tennessee to meet with the ousted lawmakers Friday.