Legislative notes
The Tennessee Legislature has returned to start its 2022 session. There are a few new bills already and a few left over from 2021 which are already scheduled for hearings the week of January 17. These can be found in the attached bill status report which is limited to bills that have had activity since January 1, 2022.
Bills of interest already include HB1735 which seeks to lower the age for handgun permits to 18 for all eligible individuals. Presently, only those 18 - 20 who are in or already retired from the military are eligible for the permit. Another bill is HB1738 which would extend the sales tax holiday on gun safes for another year (let's call the sponsor and urge him to just make it permanent).
Chapter Notes
TFA is wanting to update the status on chapters which are actively meeting (meeting nights, locations, etc.) If you are a chapter leader or would like to start a new chapter in your area, please contact johnharris@tennesseefirearms.com
Election 2022
We know that there are already a few announcements of incumbents who do not plan to run for re-election. We also anticipate that there will be some instances where incumbents have been "redistricted" to either eliminate their district or merge it with another incumbent. We are concerned that already there are at least 4 of the 99 House districts where strong incumbents are being forced to run against other incumbents because their district lines have changed and now two or more incumbents live in the same "new" district.
We are expecting a busy election cycle. We already know, for example, from statements made by Speaker Cameron Sexton in 2021 indicating that approximately 1/3 or more of the House Republicans would not support real constitutional carry. That is supported by statements made by individual legislators in committee hearings and in the floor discussions on the bills. The fact is that those legislators, unless they change course openly and clearly, are unlikely to ever support your true 2nd Amendment protected rights and perhaps should be replaced with challengers who do fully embrace the oath of office to support and defend the rights of citizens as protected by the Constitution.
TFALAC Event
Finally,
the TFALAC (TFA’s political action committee) has set its annual BBQ
lunch and auction for Saturday, September 3, 2022 at the Farm Bureau
Expo Center in Wilson county, Tennessee. Please sign up as sponsors, vendors or purchase your tables and tickets. |
