Two permitless carry bills advance from House full committee

Two of the three permitless carry bills were scheduled for hearing on March 10, 2021, in the House Criminal Justice Committee. Both House Bill 786, which is commonly referred to as the “Governor’s bill” and House Bill 18 by Representative Bruce Griffey were taken up in this committee. After extension discussion and only a voice…

TN Legislators challenge Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association for lobbying against 2nd Amendment bills

Two Legislative committees have considered the Governor’s permitless carry bill (SB765/HB786) as well as Sen. Joey Hensley’s and Rep. Bruce Giffey’s “Constitutional Carry” bill (SB318/HB18) over the last two weeks. The House heard testimony on both bills in its Criminal Justice Subcommittee on February 24, 2021. The Senate Judiciary heard testimony on the Governor’s permitless…

TN Senate only takes an”incremental step” that falls short of real constitutional carry

On March 2, 2021, the Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee considered SB765 by Senator Jack Johnson (House version is HB786 by Rep. William Lamberth) which bill is commonly referred to as the “Governor’s Bill”. This bill is primarily a massive $17 million dollar per year crime package but it does contain a section that addresses permitless…

Call to Action: TFA Statement to Legislature on Governor’s “permitless carry” proposal

There are several bills pending on constitutional carry and permitless carry in Tennessee this year. TFA advocates for the adoption of real Constitutional Carry. TFA defines real Constitutional Carry as an environment where “anyone who can legally possess a firearm can carry that firearm” and do so with minimal if any gun free zones. There…

Legislative Update and Calendar – February 26, 2021

The Tennessee Legislature has started working this week on many 2nd Amendment related bills including several that address constitutional carry or permitless carry. The weekly bill activity report is posted below. A few specific bills to watch: SB227 and HB103, as filed, would require firearms safety instruction in public schools. This can be a good…

Rep. Jerry Sexton takes on the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association in open committee

On February 24, 2021, the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association presented a statement to the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee in opposition to two bills which have the capacity to implement Constitutional Carry. Not only did the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association oppose the proposed legislation but it also asked for increased restrictions on existing law, such as concealment requirements…

Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association exposed as anti-2nd Amendment

Tennessee is not a constitutional carry state. Tennessee Firearms Association has been trying to change that for more than a decade. Constitutional Carry, in its simplest form, means that any person who can legally possess a firearm can carry that firearm and that gun free zones are eliminated. That terminology is based on the Second…