On Tuesday, April 9th, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard both pro-gun and anti-gun bills. Additionally, the House Judiciary Committee had meetings on April 8th and 9th this week. Both committees disposed of all the anti-gun bills for the remainder of this legislative year, but a few remaining pro-gun bills passed through both committees and are continuing through the legislative process.
Pro-Gun Bills Continuing to Advance
SB1318/HB1332 clarifies that the minimum age to obtain a concealed firearm permit is eighteen (18) years old.
SB1360/HB873 protects firearm industry members from civil liability actions brought due to the unrelated actions of a third party. This bill would protect manufacturers and FFLs from frivolous lawsuits. The additional protections provided in this bill have the potential to attract additional investment from firearm manufacturers into Tennessee.
HJR53 amends the Tennessee Constitution to remove the provision that allows the legislature to regulate firearms with a view towards preventing crime. The amendment would change the constitution to simply state, "That the citizens of this State have a right to keep and bear arms."
Anti-Gun Bills that were Defeated for the Year
SB43/HB814 allows counties to prohibit the carrying of a handgun without a handgun carry permit.
SB632/HB944 prohibits certain semi-automatic firearms.
SB642/HB596 creates a voluntary "Do Not Sell" list for individuals to forfeit their Second Amendment right.
SB1105/HB1292 would allow a law enforcement agency to destroy a confiscated firearm if it was declared contraband. Currently, law enforcement agencies may auction off confiscated firearms as long as they are not defective or unsafe.
SB1191/HB947 would prohibit an individual from transferring a firearm to any person who has received almost any type of mental health services
SB1176/HB1231 allows large counties to regulate firearms, pre-empting state firearm laws. This would allow these local governments to regulate firearms via local ordinances and potentially deprive the citizens in those counties of their Second Amendment rights, creating a patchwork of restrictions across the state.
SB1184/HB948 requires a person that is convicted of certain misdemeanor crimes to transfer their firearms to a law enforcement agency. Currently, state law allows for an individual being dispossessed to transfer their guns to another individual.
SB1350/HB1390 mandates the storage of firearms and ammunition in separate containers, implements a 15-day waiting period before a lawful purchaser may take possession of a legally purchased firearm, and allows courts to issue emergency protection orders, "Red Flag laws," against individuals without sufficient due process.
Please stay tuned to the NRA-ILA website and your inbox for updates as this legislation progresses.
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