President Biden meets with Tennessee state lawmakers, state Reps. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, left, Justin Jones, D-Nashville, second from left, and Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, right, in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday. Vice President Kamala Harris listens third from left. Andrew Harnik/Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Three Tennessee state lawmakers who became Democratic heroes for facing expulsion after participating in gun control protests visited the White House on Monday, describing themselves as “representatives of a movement” that is demanding greater restrictions on firearms to save lives.

“Courage is something that can be contagious,” said Rep. Justin Jones after an Oval Office meeting with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Although Biden and Harris have sought stronger gun control, including a renewed assault weapons ban, Jones suggested that he prodded the administration to take firmer action during their private conversation. He described seeing busts of Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and Cesar Chavez in the Oval Office, describing them as people who “acted outside of the political paradigm of what was possible, and they changed political realities.”

Jones added that “sometimes we have to do something out of the ordinary.”

During brief public remarks as they began their meeting, Biden thanked the lawmakers who have become known as the “Tennessee three” for their advocacy.

“You’re standing up for our kids; you’re standing up for our communities,” Biden told Jones, Rep. Justin Pearson and Rep. Gloria Johnson.

Biden described the expulsion votes as “shocking” and “undemocratic.”

“Nothing is guaranteed about our democracy — every generation has to fight for it,” he said.

The episode has turned the lawmakers into Democratic heroes. Harris already visited Nashville earlier this month to show her support.

The statehouse protest took place days after the shooting at the Covenant School, a private Christian school where three children and three adults were killed. Johnson, Jones and Pearson approached the front of the House chamber with a bullhorn as protesters filled the galleries.

The Republicans who control the Tennessee Legislature called for their expulsion because they disrupted House proceedings. Pearson, who is a graduate of Bowdoin College, and Jones, who are both Black, were expelled; Johnson, who is white, was not.

Pearson and Jones were later reinstated on an interim basis by local officials, and they plan to run in a special election to finish their terms.

“You cannot expel hope, and you can’t expel a movement,” Pearson said outside the White House on Monday.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said last week that Biden was “proud” and “appreciative” to see the three state representatives calling for stronger gun restrictions, particularly a ban on so-called assault weapons.

During a phone call earlier this month, Biden thanked them “for speaking out and for standing their ground, and being very clear about what’s needed to protect their communities,” Jean-Pierre said.