This week, multiple committees are scheduled to consider firearm-related bills. Please click the “Take Action” button below to contact committee members:
On Tuesday, the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee is scheduled to consider Senate Bill 2476, legislation that would allow Tennesseans to purchase gun safes free from the burden of sales and use tax. Gun safety is one of the National Rifle Association’s top priorities and NRA believes that storage practices should remain the responsibility of the individual firearm owner, not the government. This legislation seeks to expand law-abiding gun owners’ ability to store their firearms in a way that best suits their needs. Please contact members of the subcommittee and urge them to support SB 2476.
Also, on Tuesday, the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee is scheduled to consider House Bill 2393. HB 2393 requires a person who lawfully possesses a firearm to report the loss or theft of the firearm to any local law-enforcement agency or the Department of State Police within 5 days after such person discovers the loss or theft or be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. This legislation punishes the victim instead of the criminal. Individuals should not be further victimized after experiencing a burglary or other loss. Please contact members of the subcommittee and urge them to oppose HB 2393.
On Wednesday, the House Civil Justice Subcommittee is scheduled to consider House Bill 1461, House Bill 2208 and House Bill 2485.
HB 1461 makes it a crime to knowingly possess a device that is designed or functions to accelerate the rate of fire of a semi-automatic firearm. The broad and overreaching provisions in this legislation could potentially criminalize firearm modifications such as competition triggers, and ergonomic changes that are commonly done by law-abiding gun owners to make their firearms more suitable for self-defense, competition, hunting, or even overcoming disability.
House Bill 2208 would allow private certified firearms instructors to train teachers in certain distressed rural counties, who are allowed, to carry a concealed firearm on school property. Those teachers would also be required to be taught by the local law enforcement agency.
House Bill 2485 allows the carrying of a handgun by law-abiding individuals qualified to carry a firearm for self-defense in publicly accessible areas outside of the secured sections of airports. It would also prevent localities from issuing regulations to conflict with these provisions.
Please contact members of the subcommittee and urge them to OPPOSE HB 1461 and to SUPPORT HB 2208 and HB 2485.