Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Legislation which would expand fee waivers for enhanced handgun carry permits for retired law enforcement officers who meet certain criteria is set to be heard in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
HB1508 by Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill-District 92) would “extend the fee waiver for a lifetime enhanced handgun carry permit to include a retired law enforcement officer who served for less than 10 years prior to retirement, was POST-certified, or had equivalent training, on the date the officer retired, and retired from service due to an injury received in the line of duty as a law enforcement officer.”
The Senate companion, SB1628, carried by Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28) has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee but has not secured a calendar date yet.
Several other Second Amendment bills are making their way through the legislature, including one creating a sales tax holiday for the purchase of firearms and another codifying the right of tenants to keep and bear arms.
HB1505 would suspend state sales tax on the purchase of firearms and ammunition from July 3-6, 2026. The bill is sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland-District 44) who has stated there are plans to advance the Second Amendment in a number of ways this year.
SB0350 by Sen. Bobby Harshbarger (R-Hawkins County-District 4) would prohibit landlords from preventing tenants from “lawfully possessing, carrying, transporting, or storing a firearm, any part of a firearms, or firearm ammunition” in a tenant’s dwelling unit, premises, or vehicle. The bill is set for a full Senate vote on Monday, February 2.
To contact members of the House Civil Justice Subcommittee with any thoughts on HB1508, use the contact information below:
Rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.tom.stinnett@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov; rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov; rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov; rep.tom.stinnett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.chris.todd@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ron.travis@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
