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 carry bill on March 2, 2021.

A representative from the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association spoke in opposition to both bills. That was not surprising since the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association, the Tennessee Chiefs of Police Association and other law enforcement groups often oppose any 2nd Amendment legislation in Tennessee.

What was unusual however is that Legislators are starting to make statements on the Legislative record noting that these law enforcement organizations, whose members take oaths to uphold the Constitutions, are all too often the primary voices lobbying against legislation that would restore the rights of citizens of Tennessee that are protected by the Second Amendment.

As discussed in more detail in the TFA's news feed, the lobbying by the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association may be a more serious issue than violating an oath to support and defend the constitutional rights of the citizens of Tennessee. 

See complete story with links and attachments on TFA News Feed.