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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
As liberals across the state continue to push for gun control measures at the statehouse, Republicans are carrying several bills this session which would secure and enhance Second Amendment rights for Tennesseans.
HB1189/SB1227 was introduced last year and would overhaul the state’s handgun carry permit system by replacing the word “handgun” with “firearm”, allowing permit holders to carry any firearm they own in places where only handguns are currently allowed.
If the bill passes, all valid permits issued prior to the legislation’s passage would be grandfathered into the statute and deemed as the new “concealed firearm carry permits”, and the relevant department would not be required to reissue permits.
There was no action taken on HB1189 last year after SB1227 failed in the Senate Judiciary Committee, but the bill may not be dead yet, though there has not yet been any motion on the bill so far this year.
Another bill, HB0387/SB0474 would prohibit healthcare providers, except licensed psychiatrists or psychologists, from asking patients about ownership, possession, of, or access to firearms or ammunition.
Providers could not deny future treatment to or otherwise discriminate against a patient based on their ownership or control of a firearm or enter any such information into a patient’s record unless it is directly relevant to the patient’s medical care or safety or the safety of others.
If a healthcare provider does inquire about a patient’s ownership, possession of, or access to firearms, the provider would have to provide written notice to the patient that the patient is under no obligation to respond.
A provider who violates the provisions would be considered guilty of unethical conduct and subject to a fine of $1,000 per violation and disciplinary action by the provider’s licensing authority.
SB0474 is sponsored by Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16) and was deferred last year to 2026 by the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, meaning it should be back on the calendar soon.
The House companion, HB0387, is carried by Rep. Ed Butler (R-Rickman-District 41) and was set to be heard by the House Health Committee on Jan. 23, but that meeting was cancelled when the General Assembly cancelled all meetings for the week due to anticipated inclement weather. The hearing for HB0307 will likely be rescheduled by the committee when the legislators return early next week.
Another bill, SB1629, is intended to help rectify the state’s contradictory and controversial “intent to go armed” provision by deleting the criminal offenses of carrying a firearm or club with intent to go armed and carrying a weapon in a public park with the intent to go armed. This adjustment would bring Tennessee more closely into alignment with its purported “Constitutional Carry”.
Sponsored by Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28), the bill would strike or amend several restrictions on the possession, carrying, and use of firearms and substitute language to expand permissions for carrying firearms in public parks, greenways, recreational areas, and vehicles.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee but has yet to secure a hearing date.
And SB0350, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Harshbarger (R-Hawkins County-District 4) would prohibit a landlord from allowing tenants to exercise their Second Amendment rights by keeping firearms in their dwelling or vehicle. If a landlord violates those rights, an affected tenant will have the right to bring a suit against the landlord.
The bill recently passed the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and is scheduled for a full Senate vote on Monday, Feb. 2. HB0469, the House companion, was set to be heard by the House Business & Utilities Subcommittee on Wednesday, Jan. 28, but the legislature was closed due to inclement weather.
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.
2 Responses
“As liberals across the state continue to push for gun control measures at the statehouse,…”
Including Lockdown Lee and “constitutional scholar” Skrmetti who are fighting (with taxpayer funds) to keep the blatantly unconstitutional “intent to go armed” law in effect.
Are they still considered bona-fide Republicans by the TNGOP or will they locked out of primary voting?
Hope none are killed in committees.