The following is an update on 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 of the NRA-backed bills listed below without any restricting amendments. For contact information or help identifying your State Legislators, please click here. For Tennessee Legislature Committee information please visit http://www.capitol.tn.gov/committees/.
Senate Joint Resolution 30, sponsored by State Senator Doug Jackson (R- 25), proposes an amendment to the Tennessee Constitution recognizing 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 Judiciary Committee and has moved to the Fish and Wildlife Committee where it is expected to be voted on in the coming weeks.
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. The House Committee on Conservation and Environment is expected to hear HB 569 on Tuesday, March 24.
Senate Bill 576, sponsored by State Senator Doug Jackson (R- 25), would allow 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 and is expected to be heard on Wednesday, April 8. House Bill 1807, sponsored by State Representative Ben West (D-60), is the companion bill to SB 576. HB 1807 is currently in the House Subcommittee on Criminal Practice and Procedure and is expected to be heard on Wednesday, April 1.
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 and is expected to be heard on Wednesday, April 8. House Bill 770, sponsored by State Representative Mike Turner (D-51), is the companion bill to SB 842. HB 770 is currently in the House Subcommittee on Criminal Practice and Procedure and is expected to be heard on Wednesday, April 1.
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 occurred at least five years earlier, and the applicant attaches a statement from a doctor that he/she 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. HB 1748 is currently in the House Subcommittee on Criminal Practice and Procedure and is expected to be heard on Wednesday, April 1.
Senate Bill 1908, sponsored by State Senator Doug Jackson (R- 25), the “Second Amendment Protection Act,” would prohibit the sale of micro-stamped firearms or ammunition in Tennessee. This pro-active preventive measure is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee and is expected to be heard on Wednesday, April 8. House Bill 1924 sponsored by State Representative Henry Fincher (D-42), is the companion bill to SB 1908 and has been referred to the House Judiciary’s Sub-committee on Criminal Practice and Procedure and is expected to be heard on Wednesday, April 1.
House Bill 46, sponsored by State Representative Joshua Evans (R-66), prohibits the department of safety or any department approved handgun safety employee from requiring an applicant for a handgun carry permit to furnish any identifying information concerning any handgun the applicant owns or possesses. HB 46 passed the House 88-2 on Thursday, March 19 and now heads to the Senate for consideration. Senate Bill 32, sponsored by State Senator Jim Tracy (R-16), is the companion bill to HB 46 and is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee. SB 32 is expected to be heard on Wednesday, April 8.
House Bill 70, sponsored by State Representative Henry Fincher (D-42), removes the prohibition against using deadly force in protection of property. HB 70 passed the House 89-1 on Thursday, March 19 and now heads to the Senate for consideration. Senate Bill 474, sponsored by State Senator Andy Berke (D-10) is the companion bill to HB 70. SB 474 is expected to be heard on Wednesday, April 8.
House Bill 82, sponsored by State Representative Johnny Shaw (D-80), authorizes current and retired judges who possess a handgun carry permit to carry a firearm under the same circumstances and conditions as law enforcement officers and correctional officers. HB 82 is expected to be heard on Monday, March 23 in the House. Senate Bill 19, sponsored by Dolores Gresham (R-26), is the companion bill to HB 82 and is expected to be heard in the Senate Judiciary on Wednesday, April 8.
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 passed the House 82-11 on Thursday, March 12. It has been referred to the Senate. Senate Bill 554, sponsored by State Senator Mark Norris (R-32), is the companion bill to HB 254 and is expected to be voted on favorably.
House Bill 390, sponsored by State Representative Henry Fincher (D-42), permits handgun carry permit holders to possess or carry a loaded rifle, loaded shotgun, or loaded magazine or clip while in a motor vehicle. HB 390 passed the House 82-10 on Thursday, March 19. HB 390 now heads to the Senate for consideration. Senate Bill 578, sponsored by Sentor Doug Jackson, is the companion bill to HB 390. SB 578 is currently in the Senate Judiciary and is expected to be heard on Wednesday, April 8.
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 Finance Ways and Means Budget sub-committee. Please contact members of the cub-committee and ask them to support an amendment that removes the fiscal note requiring new signage. Senate Bill 976, sponsored by State Senator Tim Burchett (R-7), is the companion bill to HB 716. SB 976 is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
House Bill 959, sponsored by State Representative Eddie Bass (D-65), would ensure the privacy of handgun permit holders by making records of permit applications and renewals confidential. HB 959 was amended to allow for the sharing of statistical information. It was also amended to remove the misdemeanor language in order to remove a fiscal note on the bill which will help ensure its passage. HB 959 passed the House Judiciary Committee with a 6-4 vote on Wednesday, March 18. This important privacy measure now moves to the Calendar and Rules Committee for Tuesday, March 24 and could be heard on the House Floor as early as next Thrusday, March 26. Senate Bill 1126, sponsored by State Senator Mark Norris (R-32), is the companion bill to HB 959 and is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee. SB 1126 is expected to be heard on Wednesday, April 8.
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 amended to allow for a local governement body to maintain control of carry within the local parks. Please contact members of the Judiciary Committee and express your opposition to this amendment. This will create a confusing patchwork of laws across the state. HB 960 has been rolled a week and is now expected to be heard on Wednesday, March 25 in the House Judiciary Committee. Senate Bill 1518, sponsored by State Senator Mae Beavers (R-17), is the companion bill to HB 960, and is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee and is expected to be heard on Wednesday, April 8.
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 an amendment which contains specific language that negates the effect of the bill and then provides additional language that may even be argued to restrict access to certain areas. Please contact your Representative and ask them to remove the restricting language. HB 961 has been referred to the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee on Budget. Senate Bill 1519, sponsored by State Senator Tim Burchett (R-7), is the companion bill to HB 961.
House Bill 2313, sponsored by State Representative Eddie Bass (D-65), would authorize 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 been referred to the State and Local Government Committee. 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 federally licensed firearms dealers. Proceeds from the sale of these firearms would be used to benefit law enforcement agencies. HB 2376 has been rolled a week, but will most likely be heard with all other firearm bills on Wednesday, April 1 in the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Practice and Procedure. Senate Bill 2334, sponsored by State Senator Doug Jackson (R- 25), is the companion bill to HB 2376, and is currently in the Senate Judiciary and is expected to be heard on Wednesday, April 8.
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