Call Your State Legislators Today!
Several NRA - backed bills are on the move in the Tennessee State Legislature. Please continue contacting your legislators in support of the following bills:
Right-To-Carry Reform
Senate Bill 23, sponsored by State Senator Doug Jackson (D-25), allows a person who has a valid Right-to-Carry permit to carry a firearm into restaurants where alcohol may be served, as long as the permit holder is not consuming alcohol or is not otherwise prohibited by posting provisions. This important Right-to-Carry reform measure passed the State Senate with a vote of 24 to 6 in January. Companion House Bill 702, sponsored by State Representative Joe McCord (R-08), is currently in the Judiciary sub-committee Criminal Practice and Procedure.
Senate Bill 2928, sponsored by State Senator Paul Stanley (R-31) and companion bill House Bill 3063, sponsored by State Representative Phillip Johnson (R-78), would ensure that employees are able to protect themselves as they travel to and from work by allowing them to store their firearms in their vehicles while at work. SB 2928 prohibits any operator or owner of any parking lot from baring firearms in private vehicles. Both bills are currently in their respective Judiciary committees.
Senate Bill 3299, sponsored by State Senator Paul Stanley (R-31) and House Bill 3153, sponsored State Representative Jim Cobb (R-31), establishes by rule how the state will implement the federal “Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004,” relative to the carrying of firearms by qualified and retired law enforcement officers. Both bills are in their respective Judiciary Committees.
Senate Bill 3730, sponsored by State Senator Dewayne Bunch (R-09) and companion House Bill 3014, sponsored by State Representative Stacey Campfield (R-18), would authorize full-time faculty and staff with valid handgun carry permits at public schools, colleges, and universities in Tennessee to carry handguns upon completion of an annual firearms training course. Both bills are in respective Judiciary Committees.
Two more Right-to-Carry Reform NRA-backed bills from the 2007 session, House Bill 132 and House Bill 2184 are still in committee. Sponsored by State Representative Mike Bell (R-23), HB132 permits a person with a Right-to-Carry permit to possess a firearm in all public hunting areas, refuges, wildlife management areas, and national forests managed by the state. HB132 has been placed on the calendar in House Finance, Ways & Means Budget sub-committee for Wednesday, February 20. Companion Bill SB 53, sponsored by Senator Raymond Finney (R-08), passed the Senate unanimously (30-0) last session.
Also, in the House Finance, Ways & Means Budget sub-committee is HB2184. Sponsored by State Representative Frank Niceley (R-17), HB2184 would allow any resident who has a Right-to-Carry permit to possess his or her handgun while within the boundaries of any state park and all areas for recreational purposes. Please contact members of the House Finance, Ways & Means Budget sub-committee and ask them to remove the posting requirement on HB 2184. Contact information for the committee members are list at the bottom of this email.
Its Senate companion, SB 2143, sponsored by State Senator Tim Burchett (R-07), passed the State Senate last session without amendments, and would allow for any resident who has a valid handgun carry permit, to possess his or her handgun while within the boundaries of any state park.
Handgun Permit Applications
Senate Bill 3368, sponsored by State Senator Mae Beavers (R-17) and companion bill House Bill 3293, sponsored by State Representative Nathan Vaughn (D-02), would eliminate the statutory provision that prohibits a citizen who has voluntarily sought mental health treatment from obtaining a handgun carry permit. The legislation would instead create a seven-year limitation. Both bills are in their respective Judiciary Committees.
Senate Bill 3755, sponsored by State Senator Mark Norris (R-32) and companion House Bill 3137, sponsored by State Representative Eddie Bass (D-65) and State Representative Mike Bell (R-23), restrict public access to the records of concealed handgun permit holders and prohibit their publication. Both bills are in their respective Judiciary Committees.
Senate Bill 3883, sponsored by State Senator Rusty Crowe (R-03) and companion House Bill 3683, sponsored by State Representative Matthew Hill (R-07), would reduce the handgun permit application fee from $115 to $100. Both bills are in their respective Judiciary Committees.
Hunters and Sportsmen
Senate Bill 2934, sponsored by State Senator Paul Stanley (R-31) and companion bill House Bill 2453, sponsored by State Representative Eric Swafford (R-25), would create a National Rifle Association license plate allocating 50% of the funds toward hunter education. SB2934 passed the Senate unanimously (29-0) Monday, February 11. HB2453 is currently in the House Transportation Committee.
On Tuesday, February 5, Tennessee’s Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed House Joint Resolution 108 with NRA-backed amendments. Sponsored by State Senator Doug Jackson (D-25) and State Representative Joe McCord (R-08), this critical legislation will amend the Tennessee Constitution by protecting the right to hunt and fish. Passage of this meaningful legislation will preserve hunting and fishing in Tennessee for generations to come. HJR108 had its first of six reads on the Senate floor, Wednesday February 13. A floor vote could take place as early as the end of February.
All firearm-related bills in the House Judiciary Committee and its sub-committee: Criminal Practice and Procedure are expected to be heard Wednesday, March 19. Please contact members of the Judiciary committee and respectfully urge them to support HB 702, HB 3014, HB 3063, HB 3137, HB 3153, HB 3293, and HB 3683.
House Judiciary Committee Members:
Representative Kent Coleman (D-49), Chair
(615) 741-6829
Representative Janis Sontany (D-53), Vice-Chair
(615) 741-6861
Representative Henry Fincher (D-42), Secretary
(615) 741-1875
Representative Eddie Bass (D-65)
(615) 741-1864
Representative Rob Briley (D-52)
(615) 741-2184
Representative Frank Buck
(615) 741-3817
Representative Tom DuBois
(615) 741-7444
Representative Jon Lundberg
(615) 741-7623
Representative Judd Matheny (R-47)
(615) 741-7448
Representative Eric Watson (R-22)
(615) 741-7799
House Finance, Ways & Means Budget Sub-Committee
Representative Harry Tindell (D-13), Chair
(615) 741-2031
Representative Joe Armstrong (D-15)
(615) 741-0768
Representative Lois Deberry (D-91)
(615) 741-3830
Representative Craig Fitzhugh (D-82)
(615) 741-2134
Representative Michael Harrison (R-9)
(615) 741-7480
Representative Steve McDaniel (R-72)
(615) 741-0750
Representative Gary Odom (D-55)
(615) 741-4410
Representative Doug Overbey (R-20)
(615) 741-0981
Representative Randy Rinks (D-71)
(615) 741-2007
Representative Dennis Roach (R-35)
(615) 741-2534
Representative Johnny Shaw (D-80)
(615) 741-4538
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