The Tennessee Legislature is back at work. The House appears to be considering almost any legislation that was already on notice or set for hearings in March 2020 when it suspended session due to the Covid-19 concerns. The Senate while back in session seems to be only hearing a narrow range of bills that fall within what has been referred to as “COVID-19, TIME SENSITIVE, OR BUDGET RELATED BILLS”. It is unclear to what extent this limitation may result in bills that pass the House but which are not considered in the limited time remaining in the Senate this year.

TFA’s bill status and calendar reports are available on the TFA's news post. There are some specific bills to note.

HB1553/SB1566 (Sen. Hensley and Rep. Griffey) is a bill that would if enacted serve as the broadest permitless carry bill being considered this year. It is set for the full House Judiciary on Monday, June 8. However, it has not had any movement in the Senate since January 16, 2020, when it was referred to Senate Judiciary. This bill needs voter calls and support in both the House and Senate.

SB1722/HE2363 (Sen. Kyle and Rep. Hardaway) is a caption bill that has been amended to do something entirely different than the original bill suggests. It was amended in the House to make theft of any firearm a Class D felony, at a minimum. It is set for hearing in both the Senate and House Judiciary committees this week.

SB2066/HB290 (Sen. Lundberg and Rep. Littleton) this bill has passed both Houses and is headed to the governor. The bill creates special exceptions for elected officials and county attorneys who have handgun permits to carry inside buildings in which judicial proceedings may be in progress under limited circumstances. The legislation creates special exceptions for government officials who are carrying based on civilian handgun permits which exceptions do not apply to all citizens.

SB2209/HB2761 (Sen. Johnson and Rep. Ogles) passed the House with a major amendment that requires the state to develop a firearms safety curriculum of at least 15 minutes which must “(1) Teach students: (A) How to avoid injury if the student finds a firearm; (B) To never touch a found firearm; and (C) To immediately notify an adult of the location of a found firearm;” The legislation does not provide a requirement for any training to be developed on how to actually safely use or handle firearms.

SB2527/HB2660 (Sen. Stevens and Rep. Todd) the House passed this bill which will protect the 5th Amendment rights of an individual who reacts in self-defense from continued necessity of defending a civil action arising out of the self-defense incident if there are any pending criminal investigations or charges. The Senate Judiciary should hear the bill on June 9.

SB2671/HB2817 (Sen. Johnson and Rep. Lamberth) – this is what the Governor announced as his “constitutional carry” bill. To the extent it addresses permits, it is only a qualified exception to a criminal charge of carrying with intent to go armed which is only available for those who are otherwise eligible for the enhanced handgun permit but who have not obtained one. The bill also includes a $17 million dollar a year crime package. The House placed the legislation “behind the budget” at the sponsor’s request.

SB2888/HB2661 (Sen. Bailey and Rep. Todd) this is a bill to enact permitless concealed carry in TN. It has a significant number of House sponsors and is set for House and Senate hearings this week.

Please call your legislators regarding your position on these and other bills.   You can identify your legislators and get their contact information on the state’s “Find My Legislator” page.

TFALAC Annual Event - August 9, 2020