Weekly Legislative Update

[Guest 2HOW]

The Tennessee General Assembly

House of Representatives

Weekly Legislative Update from Representative Mike Harrison

Gun legislation clears Judiciary Committee hurdle

Having passed out of the subcommittee last week, several pieces of legislation concerning gun laws have cleared the sometimes difficult hurdle of Judiciary Committee—a place where many have met their fate in years past. House Bill 962, the controversial “restaurant carry†bill cleared the committee this week with a vote of 8 to 3. The legislation will allow licensed handgun carry permit holders to carry a firearm in a restaurant where alcohol is served, so long as the patron is not consuming alcohol or is not otherwise prohibited by posted provisions. The bill was amended to forbid the firearms after 11 p.m., and language was added to clarify that each restaurant may restrict weapons in their establishment if they choose and clearly post the restriction. The bill now faces the Calendar and Rules Committee, a precursor for being scheduled on the House floor.

Two popular pieces of gun legislation were deferred a week, including House Bill 959 that would exempt the handgun carry permit database from the Open Records Act. House Bill 960, which would allow licensed handgun carry permit holders to possess a firearm in state and local parks, was discussed but ultimately deferred due to some ambiguities with an amendment that would have required signage indicating the law.

Finally, House Bill 46 was approved by the committee as well. House Bill 46 seeks to clarify that neither the Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS) nor an instructor or employee of a department-approved handgun safety course is authorized to require an applicant for a handgun carry permit to furnish or reveal identifying information concerning any handgun the applicant owns, possesses, or uses during the safety course, including the serial number of the weapon.

The bill was filed in response to an incident late last year, when TDOS sent letters to all firearms instructors requiring them to complete and return a roster of students and to provide information on each student including the name of the firearm owner, the name of the student using the firearm, and the make, model, and serial number of firearms used. Gun advocates argued the request was the first step toward universal gun registration, but TDOS denied this, claiming a clerical error. A TDOS spokesman testified in the committee that the department had no problems with the legislation as proposed. House Bill 46 will now face the Calendar and Rules Committee.

[Guest dtandy]

Seems like we're making progress.

[cadillacdude1975]

the signs are a way of killing the bill. it would require money be spent, and the budget for the state parks and WMA areas are already tight enough. this is part of what killed this bill last year.

[Farman]

the signs are a way of killing the bill

Why do you need a sign that says something is not against the law? What would the sign say, illegal possession of a firearm is not permitted, holders of valid HCP may bring their firearm into the park ? Is it me or is this just more more stupid . Some people need to have a tape recording of eveything they say during the day and have to listen to it before they go to bed.

[mcurrier]

the signs are a way of killing the bill

this just more more stupid .

yep

Some people need to have a tape recording of eveything they say during the day and have to listen to it before they go to bed.

That's what I've been saying! I actually had a job a few years ago where I did record everything everyone said to me throughout the day. When I called them on their subsequent denials, those recordings came in very handy. The satisfaction of justice is a sweet taste.

[Guest TEBISH]

http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0962

HB0962 is "Held on Desk" - what exactly does that entail?

[chipperi]

They had to hold it as some people from the committee on firearms that were supposed to speak didn't show up. It is Delayed until Thursday At Naifea' s request.