Tennessee: Multiple Committee Hearings Scheduled Tomorrow

Tomorrow, several gun bills are scheduled in multiple committees for consideration, including:

Pro-Gun Bills to Support:

House Bill 409, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Griffey, would confer civil immunity upon a person who uses or threatens force in self-defense, defense of another, or defense from a person committing a criminal offense, unless the person against whom force is used is a law enforcement officer during discharge of the officer's duties and the person knows the person is an officer.  House Bill 409 has also been scheduled for consideration in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

House Bill 712, sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Faison, would streamline state law and remove confusion by updating the definition of “firearm” and “antique firearm” to mirror the terms used in federal law. House Bill 712 is scheduled for consideration in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

Anti-Gun Bills to Oppose:

House Bill 1427, sponsored by Rep. Mike Stewart, would criminalize the private transfer of firearms, without exempting transfers between close friends and certain transfers.  This would require gun owners to pay fees and obtain government approval to transfer firearms, such as the gifting of firearms to friends or hobbyists trading firearms among themselves.  It would particularly impact those living in rural areas who do not live near a licensed firearm dealer.  Such a scheme would have no impact on criminals, who acquire the vast majority of their firearms illegally, such as by theft or straw purchase, and would be unenforceable without firearm registration. House Bill 1427 has been scheduled for consideration in the House Constitutional Protections and Sentencing Subcommittee on Wednesday.

House Bill 1476, sponsored by Rep. G. A. Hardaway, would create fines and penalties for anyone who leaves a firearm or ammunition in a motor vehicle or boat without the firearm or ammunition being stored in a locked cabinet, safe, vault, case, or secured with a firearm locking device if the vehicle or boat is left unattended or with a person under 18 years of age; directs fines collected be deposited in the criminal injuries compensation fund and the domestic violence community education fund.  Not only does this legislation intrude on an individual’s ability to effectively defend themselves in certain situations, it would also place the financial burden of completely unrelated funds and programs onto those individuals that it has ensnared. House Bill 1476 has also been scheduled for consideration in the House Constitutional Protections and Sentencing Subcommittee on Wednesday.