Tennessee carry bill follows Vermont law

UPDATE: This bill is DOA this year.

Senator Stacey Campfield recently introduced SB 397 in the Tennessee General Assembly. Here is a breakdown of the bill and the sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated it modifies. There are a few of my added comments, but the bill sections, when associated with the relevant TCA sections, are rather clear. 

In a nutshell, Section 1 states that anyone not prohibited from purchasing a firearm may carry one (except as otherwise prohibited). Section 2 duplicates the historical Vermont statute, while eliminating the vague with intent to go armed section of current Tennessee law. Section 10 explicitly states that a permit is not required to carry a weapon in Tennessee. If a person can legally own a gun, he/she can legally carry it.

Governor Haslam has publicly stated, as reported in the News-Sentinel,

"If the Legislature passed it and brought that to me, I said I would sign it."

The time has come for gun owners to contact their legislators, get a companion bill in the House, and get this passed into law! 


The bill and related current law are 'mixed' below. Color coding has been added for help.

SENATE BILL 397  - - By  Campfield 

SECTION 1.  Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, is amended by adding the following language as a new section thereto: 
39-17-1313.  Any resident of Tennessee who is a United States citizen or permanent lawful resident, as defined by § 55-50-102, who has reached twenty-one (21) years of age, and who is not prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm in this state pursuant to § 39-17-1316 or § 39-17-1307(b), 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), or any other state or federal law, may carry a firearm in this state except as otherwise prohibited by law.  


SECTION 2.  Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1307, is amended by deleting subdivision (a)(1) in its entirety and by substituting instead the following:
39-17-1307. Unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon. —
(a)  (1)  A person commits an offense who carries with the intent to go armed a firearm, a knife with a blade length exceeding four inches (4²), or a club.
(a)(1) A person commits an offense who carries a weapon, openly or concealed, [with the intent or avowed purpose of injuring a fellow man.]  [bracketed text is identical to Vermont 13-1-85-4003]

Frank Cagle says 'State Gun Advocates Pushing Too Hard'

Read his MetroPulse article HERE, and read my comment at the bottom of that page.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Tennessee Governor's race, the final week

Last year, Bill Haslam met with the Knoxville Tennessee Firearms Assocation (TFA) group, and indicated he was in the learning mode. Many were skeptical, including this writer. He went on to recommend to the Knoxville City Council that they keep their 1962 parks ban in place. Indications were that he had not learned enough at that time.

More recently, however, Haslam has addressed the Nashville area TFA group, and his statements indicate he has learned. At that meeting, he indicated that he would sign a permit-less (Constitutional) carry bill if it was sent to him by the Legislature(video). And today's News-Sentinel story has him in favor of parking lot carry.

In contrast Mike McWherter, indicates his elitist disregard for the rights of Tennessee firearms owners. He thinks that we hillbillies can't be trusted to use good judgement, and therefore: 1) should not have had the restaurant carry bill passed this year, 2) surely can not be trusted with carrying a firearm until after we get our permission slip from the state, and 3) states his opposition to keeping a defensive firearm in a parking lot at one's place of employment. See his comments in the News-Sentinel links above.

Here's a quick look at the three issues I raise with McWherter - -

1. Restaurant carry: It is now law in Tennessee. No gunfights reported as a result. Lawful citizens are still good citizens, even when they are packin' heat.  Just like in the many other states where this has been law for years (handgunlaw.us).
2. Constitutional carry: Vermont has had this for decades. Alaska and Vermont now have it. And vehicle carry is legal in most states contiguous to Tennessee without a permit required (handgunlaw.us). Open carry (not concealed) on the person without a permit is lawful in five states contiguous to Tennessee(opencarry.org).
3. Parking lot carry: First, you must come to grips with the idea that a disgruntled employee will not be stopped or slowed down by a no guns policy in the building or the parking lot. Second, to prevent an employee from having the means to self-preservation available (under the guise of property rights) is unconscionable.

In conclusion, we can hope that Haslam has learned. And it is obvious that McWherter, in a typical leftist stance, opposes individual gun rights, and wants to keep as many impediments as possible limiting the right to keep and bear arms.

Vote Haslam!

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Reading List

-----------------------------------

If you find this article to be informative or interesting, please share the link with your friends. Feel free to share the entire article, including this link back: http://goodhillpress.blogspot.com/

-----------------------------------

Save ten bucks. Join NRA or renew here for only $25.00.

Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.