TENNESSEE: IMPORTANT BILLS MOVE IN THE LEGISLATURE- Call Today!

Three important pro-gun bills are up for consideration in the House Criminal Practice Subcommittee on Wednesday, March 20, 2002.

Please contact the members of the committee and ask that they support the following bills:

Allows Right to Carry permit holders to carry their handguns where alcoholic beverages are sold, as long as the carrier is not consuming alcohol and has a valid carry permit.

Many Right to Carry states including Florida and Texas have this provision on their books. It has caused no problems. Permit holders are responsible and law-abiding regardless of where they carry their firearms.

This bill authorizes citizens from other states to obtain a Tennessee Right to Carry permit. This will allow people doing business in, and traveling to, Tennessee to protect themselves while in the state. Many states allow non-residents to obtain their permits and there have been no problems.

Establishes that Tennessee will recognize all 43 states that have handgun carry permit laws. Authorizes the Commissioner of Safety to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states as well.

This will significantly increase the number of states that recognize Tennessee Right to carry permits.

Some legislators oppose this bill because the standards for obtaining a carry permit vary from state to state. The argument for the bill is that all permit holders, regardless of their state of residence, have proven themselves to be responsible and law-abiding. It is time for Tennessee to give full faith and credit to all permits from across the country. Tennessee recognizes all driver licenses and, of course, the standards for obtaining a license vary from state to state.

Below is a list of committee members listed in order of priority for calls and e-mails.

Representative Bobby Sands (chairman)

Demorat-District 64

(615) 741-4153

[email protected]

Kim McMillan

Democrat-District 67

(615) 741-2043

[email protected]

Keith Westmoreland (vice-chairman)

Republican-District 2

(615) 741-4553

[email protected]

John Windle

Democrat-District 41

(615) 741-1260

[email protected]

Chris Newton

Republican-District 22

(615) 741-2371

[email protected]

Mae Beavers

Republican-District 14

(615) 741-2421

[email protected]

Henri Brooks

Democrat-District 92

(615) 741-5625

[email protected]