Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A bill creating a new section in Tennessee statutes which would ensure landlords cannot infringe on the Second Amendment rights of tenants is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Sponsored by Sen. Bobby Harshbarger (R-Hawkins & Sullivan Counties-District 4), SB0350 states a landlord shall not prohibit “a tenant or a tenant’s guest from lawfully possessing, carrying, transporting, or storing a firearm, any part of a firearm, or firearm ammunition in the tenant’s home, apartment, or business.”
The protections also extend to vehicles located in any parking area that is provided for the tenant and their guests along with any “other locations controlled by the landlord as necessary to enter or exit the tenant’s home, apartment, or business, to enter or exit the leased premises.”
Leases in place before the law goes into effect will remain valid, but any clauses contrary to the new protections will be considered unenforceable, and the leases must be amended to strike any language that goes against the firearms protections within a year of the bill’s enaction.
Any new lease agreements made after the law takes effect must not have language violating the tenant’s firearms rights.
If a landlord is in violation of the provision, the bill creates a right for the tenant to bring a suit against the landlord for actual damages, punitive damages, and recovery of attorney fees.
The companion bill, HB0469, is carried by Rep. Lee Reeves (R-Franklin-District 65) and was deferred to 2026 by the House Business and Utilities Subcommittee. It has not yet been placed on the subcommittee’s calendar for this year.
To contact the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, use the information below:
Sen.paul.bailey@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.steve.southerland@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.raumesh.akbari@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.shane.reeves@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.paul.bailey@capitol.tn.gov, sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov, sen.steve.southerland@capitol.tn.gov, sen.raumesh.akbari@capitol.tn.gov, sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov, sen.shane.reeves@capitol.tn.gov, sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov, sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov, sen.ken.yager@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.
One Response
Thanx, emailed them “YES!”