Tennessee: Legislature to Consider Numerous Gun Bills This Week

This week, multiple gun bills have been scheduled for hearings and floor votes. You can find information on those bills and their scheduled hearings/votes below:

House Bill 1264, sponsored by Chairman Andy Holt, would create a new concealed carry permit in Tennessee that would make it more accessible for Tennesseans to exercise their right to self-defense.  The new permit will allow for concealed carry only and will not apply to higher education campuses.  Further, the training required in the bill can be a hunter education course or firearm safety course, and can be taken online.  By creating a new concealed carry permit, Tennesseans are able to choose which permit option is best for them and their lifestyle in order to exercise their constitutional right to self-defense. House Bill 1264 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 446 /House Bill 187, sponsored by Senator Mike Bell and Rep. Jay Reedy respectively, would create protections for privately owned or operated shooting ranges by preventing government entities from enacting or enforcing rules, regulation, or ordinances that prohibit their ownership, construction or operation. House Bill 187 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

House Bill 167 /Senate Bill 403, sponsored by Rep. William Lamberth and Senator John Stevens respectively, creates mandatory prison penalties for the theft of a firearm.  This legislation would actually punish criminals for their acts, instead of placing the burden on law-abiding gun owners. House Bill 167 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.  Senate Bill 403 has been referred to the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.

House Bill 494, sponsored by Rep. Clay Doggett, would remove Tennessee’s special privilege tax on ammunition that is placed into the Wildlife Resources Fund. House Bill 494 has been scheduled for a hearing in the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee on Wednesday.

House Bill 367, sponsored by Rep. Mark Hall, would require the Wildlife Resources Agency to provide a permanent sport combination hunting and fishing license for a fee of $10 to Veterans honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces.  House Bill 367 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee tomorrow.

Please contact committee members and urge them to SUPPORT the above described pro-gun bills.