This week in Tennessee, the House Criminal Justice subcommittee and the House Civil Justice subcommittee dispensed with all the firearm-related bills on their calendar. The bills that passed through the subcommittees will advance to the House Judiciary Committee and are likely to be heard next week.
Pro-Gun Bills that Advanced:
HB856 lowers the standard for the use of deadly force to protect one's property and family. The person must reasonably believe that lethal force is immediately necessary, and the force would prevent death or serious bodily injury.
HB873 protects firearm industry members from civil liability actions brought due to the unrelated actions of a third party. This bill would protect manufacturers and FFLs from frivolous lawsuits.
HB1189 expands the current handgun permit system by allowing the carrying of long guns, in addition to handguns.
HB1332 clarifies that young adults, may obtain a handgun carry permit, so long as the individual is at least 18 years old and not otherwise prohibited by law.
HJR53 emphasizes that citizens have a right to keep and bear arms in the Tennessee Constitution. The amended language more closely mirrors the Founding Fathers' intentions regarding the Second Amendment.
Anti-Gun Bills that were Defeated:
HB596 creates a voluntary "Do Not Sell" list for individuals to forfeit their Second Amendment right.
HB949 mandates the storage of firearms by requiring the weapon to be locked in a container or equipped with a mechanical lock. While the NRA advocates for safe and responsible gun ownership, it does not believe storage requirements should be mandatory.
HB1231 allows large counties to regulate firearms, pre-empting state firearm laws. This would allow these local governments to regulate firearms via local ordinances and potentially deprive the citizens in those counties of their Second Amendment rights, creating a patchwork of restrictions across the state.
HB1292 requires law enforcement to destroy any firearm that is confiscated and declared to be contraband. Currently, law enforcement agencies are allowed to auction off confiscated firearms to raise money for the agency, so long as the item is not defective.
HB1390 mandates the storage of firearms and ammunition in separate containers, implements a 15-day waiting period before a lawful purchaser may take possession of a legally purchased firearm, and allows courts to issue emergency protection orders, "Red Flag laws," against individuals without sufficient due process.
Please stay tuned to the NRA-ILA website and your inbox for updates coming from the Tennessee General Assembly.
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