Yesterday, the Tennessee Senate passed Senate Bill 1496 by a 26 to 7 vote. Sponsored by state Senator Stacey Campfield (R-7), SB 1496 aims to prevent municipalities from passing and enforcing ordinances that ban the carrying of firearms in city, county and municipal parks. This legislation would allow law-abiding Tennesseans with a Handgun Carry Permit (HCP) to carry a firearm into all state, city, county and municipal parks, and prevent a patchwork of laws across the state regarding which localities have prohibited firearms in their parks.
On February 5, the companion bill to SB 1496, House Bill 1407, sponsored by state Representative Tilman Goins (R-10), was taken off the calendar for a hearing in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee and is to be placed on a “special” firearms calendar to be set for sometime in March. In order for SB1496/HB1407 to make it to Governor Haslam for approval, HB 1407 has to receive a hearing in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee. It is important that you contact members of the House Civil Justice Subcommittee TODAY and respectfully urge them to hear and act soon on House Bill 1407.
Also this week, Senate Bill 1700/House Bill 1404 were passed and have been transmitted to Governor Haslam for his signature.
SB 1700, sponsored by state Senator Mark Green (R-22), and its companion bill HB 1404, state that incidental exposure of a firearm during the course of securing that firearm in a locked vehicle does not violate state law with regards to having a firearm in a locked vehicle on an employer’s parking lot.
SB 1701, also sponsored by Senator Green, redefines “motor vehicle” under Tennessee’s parking lot law to include all vehicles lawfully possessed by the permit holder with the exception of government or business owned vehicles. While SB 1701 passed the Senate, its companion, HB 1405, still awaits consideration by the House. HB 1405 is scheduled to be heard on the House floor on February 20.
Using the contact information provided below, please call AND e-mail members of the House Civil Justice Subcommittee and respectfully urge them to hear and act soon on House Bill 1407.
House Civil Justice Subcommittee:
Representative Jim Coley (R-27) , Chairman
(615) 741-8201
[email protected]
Representative Mike Carter (R-29)
(615) 741-3025
[email protected]
Representative Vance Dennis (R-71)
(615) 741-2190
[email protected]
Representative Andrew Farmer (R-17)
(615) 741-4419
[email protected]
Representative Sherry Jones (D-59)
(615) 741-2035
[email protected]
Representative Jon Lundberg (R-1)
(615) 741-7623
[email protected]
Representative Mike Stewart (D-52)
(615) 741-2184
[email protected]
Representative Rick Womick (R-34)
(615) 741-2804
[email protected]
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