2nd Amendment Bills Filed For Consideration In Tennessee’s 113th General Assembly
Image Credit: VectorPortal.com / CC
The Tennessee Conservative [By Kelly M. Jackson] –
A number of new “Firearms and Ammunition” bills have been filed for the 113th General Assembly session, which began on January 10th.
John Harris, Executive Director of Tennessee Firearms Association expressed that their organization will be giving careful scrutiny to every bill that is filed, and will be reporting any concerns.
Harris said “So far, nothing on REAL Constitutional Carry, nothing on materially eliminating gun free zones and, frankly, nothing that seems to even acknowledge that the United States Supreme Court issued the Bruen decision in 2022 that has called into question many existing Tennessee statutes as unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.”
Below is a list of bill that have been filed as of January 13th:
HB0037 – Filed by Warner : As introduced, removes, as exclusions from the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act, a firearm that cannot be carried and used by one person, a firearm that discharges two or more projectiles with one activation of the trigger or other firing device, a firearm that has a bore diameter greater than one and one-half inches and that uses smokeless powder as a propellant, and ammunition with a projectile that explodes after leaving the firearm; creates the criminal offense of disenfranchising another of the person’s constitutional rights in violation of the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act; prohibits an employee or elected or appointed official of a state or local government entity from enforcing a federal law in violation of the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act. – Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 54 and Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.
HB0041 – Filed by Reedy: As introduced, expands, from only local boards of education in distressed rural counties to all local boards of education, the governing bodies for LEAs that are authorized to adopt a policy allowing their director of schools to authorize and select employees who may carry a concealed handgun on school grounds. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 49, Chapter 6.
HB0120 – Filed by Richey: As introduced, expands the exception to the offense of unlawful carrying of a firearm with the intent to go armed from handguns to firearms if a person meets the age requirements, lawfully possesses the firearm, and is in a place where the person is lawfully present. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17.
HB0190 – Filed by Richey: As introduced, adds a requirement that notice of the prohibition or restriction on the possession of weapons by an individual or entity must be posted no more than three feet from each entrance; requires the notice sign to measure at least 22 inches wide and 22 inches high, have a red background and white letters, and be mounted within a certain distance from the ground. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.
HB0192 – Filed by Barrett: As introduced, exempts enhanced handgun carry permit holders from the prohibition against carrying a weapon on property that has been posted to prohibit possession of weapons on the premises; removes criminal penalty of Class B misdemeanor punishable only by $500 fine for carrying a weapon on posted property. – Amends TCA Section 39-17-1359.
HJR0038 – Filed by Reedy: Proposes an amendment to Article I, Section 26 of the Constitution of Tennessee to remove the provision that authorizes the legislature to regulate the wearing of arms with a view to prevent crime and to clarify that citizens have a right to keep and bear arms for their defense, and not just for common defense.
SB0010– Filed by Lamar: As introduced, requires a person to obtain an enhanced or concealed handgun permit to carry a handgun in certain counties. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.
SB0017– Filed by Lamar: As introduced, requires certain departments to create programs to reduce gun violence in communities, including a youth employment program, violence intervention program, and a gun safety program; requires the department of health to submit an annual report to the legislature and counties and municipalities on the public health impacts of gun violence in communities. – Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 39.
SB0021-Filed by Massey: As introduced, authorizes the department of safety to create a voucher program for the purpose of offsetting the cost of persons taking a handgun safety course for the first time; requires the department to report the number of courses taken using vouchers to the senate judiciary committee and house criminal justice committee. – Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 39.
Legislative leadership has indicated that all bills would need to meet a filing deadline of January 30th and they expect to see a total of 50-70 when the filing deadline has commenced.
About the Author: Kelly Jackson is a recent escapee from corporate America, and a California refugee to Tennessee. Christ follower, Wife and Mom of three amazing teenagers. She has a BA in Comm from Point Loma Nazarene University, and has a background in law enforcement and human resources. Since the summer of 2020, she has spent any and all free time in the trenches with local grassroots orgs, including Mom’s for Liberty Williamson County and Tennessee Stands as a core member. Outspoken advocate for parents rights, medical freedom, and individual liberty.
