There were three bills that TFA views as significant which had activity this week.
SB1148/HB25
is legislation that would materially improve Tennessee’s civil immunity
statute for those individuals who use deadly force in justifiable
self-defense. It would merely prohibiting the filing and prosecution of
a civil case until the criminal investigation and/or trial is over.
The bill passed the house on March 29 with significant support even
among some Democrats. However, we had been alerted that the Senate
Judiciary committee was going to kill it. With additional work, the
bill did come out of the Senate Judiciary committee on party lines by a
vote of 7-2. We expect this to be heard on the Floor of the Senate next
week although it is not scheduled for the Monday calendar.
SB1333/HB899
is legislation that would create a civil right of action against a
government entity that violates a person’s right to bear arms. This is
the second year that this bill has been filed and it is legislation that
is supported by conservative legislators. The bill failed recently in
the Senate Judiciary Committee (9 members, 7 identify as Republicans).
This effectively killed this bill for 2021.
SB1391/HB1388 is
legislation that would have simply deleted the provision that makes it a
crime to carry a firearm in Tennessee “with the intent to go armed”.
By deleting that provision, Tennessee would have come much closer to
true constitutional carry. The bill is much better than the Governor’s
permitless carry bill. The bill failed recently in the Senate
Judiciary Committee (9 members, 7 identify as Republicans). This
effectively killed this bill for 2021.
There are several bills set for hearing next week. None of them are significant for purposes of advancing or protecting our rights.
HB446
is titled the Tennessee Firearm Protection Act. Is is not supported
by TFA in its present format because it lacks effective enforcement
provisions. Without effective enforcement provisions, it is unlikely
that the legislation will actually protect the rights of Tennesseans.
SB1335
is the Tennessee Second Amendment Sanctuary Act. Is is not supported
by TFA in its present format because it lacks effective enforcement
provisions. Without effective enforcement provisions, it is unlikely
that the legislation will actually protect the rights of Tennesseans.
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