Numerous pro-gun bills have been introduced in the Tennessee House and Senate this session. The following is a list of NRA-backed bills that are currently working through the legislature. Please contact your State Senator and State Representative and respectfully urge them to support all the NRA-backed bills listed below. For contact information or help identifying your State Legislators, please click here.
Senate Joint Resolution 30, sponsored by State Senator Doug Jackson (R- 25), proposes an amendment to the Tennessee Constitution recognizing the citizens’ right to hunt and fish. The final language of the Resolution incorporates NRA’s model language and provides truly meaningful protections against the anti-hunting activists who seek to ban all hunting in America. The ultimate adoption of this constitutional amendment will preserve Tennessee’s rich hunting and fishing traditions for generations to come. SJR 30 has passed out of the Senate and moved to the House where it waits its next assignment.
Senate Bill 264, sponsored by State Senator Doug Jackson (D-25), would authorize Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) to issue sport fishing and hunting licenses at no cost to Tennessee residents who are 100 percent disabled and receive social security disability. SB 264 has been referred to the Senate Environment, Conservation and Tourism Committee. House Bill 569, sponsored by State Representative David Shepard (D-69), is the companion bill to SB 264.
Senate Bill 576, sponsored by State Senator Doug Jackson (R- 25), allows a person who has a valid Right-to-Carry permit to carry a firearm into restaurants where alcohol may be served, as long as the permit holder is not consuming alcohol or is not otherwise prohibited by posting provisions. SB 576 has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. House Bill 1807, sponsored by State Representative Ben West (D-60), is the companion bill to SB 576.
Senate Bill 842, sponsored by State Senator Doug Jackson (R- 25), would authorize persons with handgun permits to carry a handgun while hunting big game during bow-hunting deer season. SB 842 has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. House Bill 770, sponsored by State Representative Mike Turner (D-51), is the companion bill to SB 842.
Senate Bill 1403, sponsored by State Senator Doug Jackson (R- 25), would allow a person who has received voluntary inpatient mental health care to apply for a handgun carry permit if the hospitalization was at least five years earlier and the applicant attaches a statement from a doctor that the applicant does not pose an immediate risk of serious harm due to mental illness. SB 1403 has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. House Bill 1748, sponsored by State Representative Eddie Bass (D-65) is the companion bill to SB 1403
House Bill 254, sponsored by State Representative Glen Casada (R-63), would delete the requirement to give a thumbprint as part of the background check process when purchasing a firearm. HB 254 has been referred to the House Calendar and Rules Committee. Senate Bill 554, sponsored by State Senator Mark Norris (R-32), is the companion bill to HB 254.
House Bill 716, sponsored by State Representative Frank Niceley (R-17), would allow any resident who has a valid handgun carry permit to possess a handgun while within the boundaries of any state park. HB 716 has been referred to the House Calendar and Rules Committee. Senate Bill 976, sponsored by State Senator Tim Burchett (R-7), is the companion bill to HB 716.
House Bill 960, sponsored by State Representative Harry Tindell (D-13), would authorize a person with a handgun carry permit to possess a firearm while in local, state or federal parks. HB 960 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Senate Bill 1518, sponsored by State Senator Mae Beavers (R-17), is the companion bill to HB 960.
House Bill 961, sponsored by State Representative Mike Bell (R-26), would authorize a person with a handgun carry permit to possess a firearm in a refuge, public hunting area, wildlife management area, or on national forest land. HB 961 has been referred to the House Finance, Ways and Means’ Sub-committee on Budget. Senate Bill 1519, sponsored by State Senator Tim Burchett (R-7), is the companion bill to HB 961.
House Bill 1924, the “Second Amendment Protection Act,” sponsored by State Representative Henry Fincher (D-42), would prohibit the sale of microstamped firearms or ammunition in Tennessee. HB 1924 has been referred to the House Judiciary’s Sub-committee on Criminal Practice and Procedure. Senate Bill 1908, sponsored by State Senator Doug Jackson (R- 25), is the companion bill to HB 1924.
House Bill 2313, sponsored by State Representative Mike Turner (D-51), would give authorization to the Department of Safety to present the service weapon to the spouse or child of an officer killed in the line of duty. HB 2313 has not yet received a committee assignment. Senate Bill 2276, sponsored by State Senator Jim Kyle (D-28), is the companion bill to HB 2313.
House Bill 2376, sponsored by State Representative David Shepard (D-69), would modify the methods of disposing of certain confiscated firearms. HB 2376 would prohibit the destruction of confiscated firearms and require them to be auctioned off or sold to a federally licensed firearms dealers. Proceeds from the sale of these firearms are to be used for the benefit of law enforcement agencies. HB 2376 has been referred to the House Judiciary’s Sub-committee on Criminal Practice and Procedure. Senate Bill 2334, sponsored by State Senator Doug Jackson (R- 25), is the companion bill to HB 2376.
Please continue to check your email and www.NRAILA.org for updates on these pro-gun bills.