Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A bill which reiterates that renters in Tennessee have the same Second Amendment rights as homeowners passed the House Commerce Committee on Wednesday, March 4 and will head to the full House for a vote.
HB0469 states that landlords cannot prohibit a tenant from lawfully possessing, carrying, transporting, or storing firearms or ammunition in their rented residence, vehicle, or points of access to the residence or vehicle.
Additionally, if a landlord violates the provisions in the bill, an affected tenant will have the right to bring a suit against the landlord for actual damages, punitive damages, and recovery of attorney’s fees.
However, the House version differs from its Senate companion, which passed the other chamber at the end of January, through an amendment which lists the effective date beginning on January 1, 2027 and would only apply the legislation to leases for residential properties.
It also allows landlords to require tenants to keep the firearm concealed, holstered, or stored in a carrying container when they move between vehicles and their residence or when the tenant is in common areas like an elevator or shared hallway.
And though both bills share some exclusions to the proposed law like the Department of Children’s Services (DCS), mental health facilities, state agency premises, and school property, the House amendment also specifically includes hospitals, nursing homes, assisted care facilities, and certain independent living facilities.
“At its core, this recognizes that a leased dwelling is somebody’s home, and a renter should not have fewer rights of lawful self-defense inside their home than somebody who owns that premises,” said bill sponsor Rep. Lee Reeves.
The committee heard testimony in favor of the bill from a grandmother who watches her grandchildren. She expressed her concern about not being able to defend those children should she have to move to an apartment and not be allowed to have her legally owned guns.
Committee Democrats objected to the bill, contending it intrudes on property rights and elevates the Second Amendment over other Constitutional rights, but those arguments were not persuasive as the legislation passed 15-3.
Democrats Shaundelle Brooks, Karen Camper, and John Ray Clemmons voted “No” while two Representatives marked themselves as “Present Not Voting”, Republican Justin Lafferty and Democrat Caleb Hemmer.
HB0469 has been placed on the House Calendar & Rules Committee for Thursday, March 5, where it will receive a calendar date for full House consideration.
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.
One Response
Good!