Tennessee: Pro-Gun Bills Moving Through the General Assembly

Pro-gun legislation that promotes and protects your Second Amendment rights is moving through the Tennessee General Assembly. 

Senate Bill 1991 and House Bill 2131, sponsored by state Senator Brian Kelsey and state Representative Courtney Rogers respectively, would prohibit public postsecondary institutions from taking any adverse action against an employee or student as a result of such person's lawful transportation and storage of a firearm or ammunition in the person's parked motor vehicle.  This legislation has passed through both chambers and awaits transfer to the Governor’s desk.

Senate Bill 1559 and House Bill 1644, sponsored by state Senator Mike Bell and state Representative Tilman Goins respectively, would allow the chief administrative officer of a private K-12 school or private institution of higher education to implement a handgun carry policy that either permits or prohibits a person who has a handgun carry permit from carrying on the grounds or buildings of a private K-12 school or private university. This legislation has passed through both chambers and awaits transfer to the Governor’s desk.

House Bill 2575 and Senate Bill 2566, sponsored by state Representative Gerald McCormick and state Senator Mark Norris respectively, would reduce the cost of handgun carry permits from $115 to $100 as well as extend the permit renewal to eight years.  This legislation has passed through both chambers and awaits transfer to the Governor’s desk.

House Bill 1736 and Senate Bill 2376, sponsored by state Representative Andy Holt and state Senator Mike Bell, permits full-time employees of state public colleges or universities to carry a handgun while on property owned, operated, or used by the employing college or university if the employee has a valid Tennessee handgun carry permit.  Thank you to the NRA members in Tennessee that sent over 10,000 emails to committee members supporting this legislation.  HB 1736 passed out of the House Civil Justice subcommittee yesterday and will be heard before the full committee next week.  SB 2376 will be heard in the Senate Judiciary committee next week as well. 

Thank you to NRA members and Second Amendment supporters that contacted their lawmakers in opposition to anti-gun bills.  The following misguided anti-gun legislation has failed in committee: House Bill 2365, which would have required background checks on all private sales as well as House Bill 2058, which would have mandated firearm storage requirements.