The Tennessee Firearms Association is tracking these bills that are before the state's general assembly. Some of these bills are support by TFA and some are opposed. TFA has not at this time completed its review of all bills however and would appreciate your feedback on the bills and whether bills should be added or removed from the list.
SB24/HB27
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CRIMINAL LAW: Firing range requirement exemption for military service members seeking handgun carry permit.
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Sponsors: |
Sen. Green, Mark , Rep. Hill, Timothy |
Summary: |
Exempts active-duty military service members and honorably discharged veterans who have specialties as military police, special operations, or special forces from handgun carry permit firing range requirements. |
Fiscal Note: |
(Dated January 31, 2017) NOT SIGNIFICANT |
Senate Status: |
01/30/17 - Referred to Senate Judiciary. |
House Status: |
01/31/17 - Referred to House Civil Justice Subcommittee. |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to military service members and veterans. |
Position: |
Neutral |
Comment: |
Note: Do all military service have to range qualify on handguns? |
SB131
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CRIMINAL LAW: Amends various firearms provisions.
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Sponsors: |
Sen. Green, Mark , |
Summary: |
Allows a person who is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm to possess a firearm either openly or concealed. Clarifies that a person commits an offense who possesses a firearm and has been convicted of a dangerous felony unless such individual has had his or her civil rights restored. Specifies that a person possessing a firearm who has been convicted of a dangerous felony commits a Class E felony offense. Removes privated educational institutions from the statute prohibiting the possession or carrying of firearms or weapons on school property. Clarifies that the board of directors or other managing body of a private school may elect to prohibit possession or carrying of weapons on campus by posting signage in conformity with the signage required for public schools. Adds additional language to the statute regarding affirmative defense to carrying weapons on school property to include a person demonstrating that the required signage was not posted in conformity with the requirements of state law. Deletes language prohibiting the carrying of weapons in public parks, playgrounds, civic centers and other public buildings. Amends various other firearms provisions. (16 pp.) |
Senate Status: |
02/01/17 - Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee. |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13; Title 49 and Title 70, relative to weapons. |
Position: |
Support |
Comment: |
This is the 2017 Constitutional Carry legislation that we are asking members to support by calling and writing your legislators. |
SB145/HB61
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CRIMINAL LAW: Exemptions from criminal history record check requirement for certain firearm transactions.
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Sponsors: |
Sen. Beavers, Mae , Rep. Rogers, Courtney |
Summary: |
Exempts firearm transactions between licensed importers, manufacturers, dealers and bona fide law enforcement agencies or the agency's personnel from the criminal history record check requirement. Also includes transactions between licensed importers, manufacturers, dealers and collectors. Allows a firearms dealer to occasionally sell, exchange, or transfer firearms from the dealer's personal collection without conducting a background check on the buyer. |
Senate Status: |
02/01/17 - Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee. |
House Status: |
02/01/17 - Referred to House Civil Justice Subcommittee. |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to the sale, exchange, or transfer of firearms. |
Position: |
Support |
Comment: |
To fix a potential ambiguity in state law regarding sales by individuals holding an FFL of non-inventory firearms |
SB146
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CRIMINAL LAW: Enforcement of federal law relating to firearms - use of state funds prohibited.
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Sponsors: |
Sen. Beavers, Mae , |
Summary: |
Prohibits the expenditure of state or local funds or use of state or local personnel to implement, regulate, or enforce any federal law or executive order regulating the ownership or possession of firearms or firearm ammunition regardless of whether the expenditure of funds or use of employees would violate a state law or the state constitution. |
Senate Status: |
02/01/17 - Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee. |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38, Chapter 3, Part 1, relative to firearm laws. |
Position: |
Support |
Comment: |
10th Amendment Protections for the 2nd Amendment |
SB147/HB40
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CRIMINAL LAW: Creation of the Open Carry Firearms Freedom Act.
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Sponsors: |
Sen. Beavers, Mae , Rep. VanHuss, James |
Summary: |
Enacts the Open Carry Firearms Freedom Act. Under this bill, no permit would be required for the open carrying of a handgun. The existing permit provisions would still apply to carrying a concealed handgun. |
Senate Status: |
02/01/17 - Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee. |
House Status: |
02/01/17 - Referred to House Civil Justice Subcommittee. |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 10, Chapter 7; Title 33; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 70, relative to the carrying of firearms. |
Position: |
Support |
SB229
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CRIMINAL LAW: Notification requirements for domestic violence offenders regarding firearms.
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Sponsors: |
Sen. Massey, Becky , |
Summary: |
Requires the court to give a defendant pleading guilty to a domestic violence offense notice of the firearm dispossession consequences of a domestic violence conviction. Specifies procedure for a person convicted of domestic violence to terminate possession of all firearms, including completing an affidavit of firearms dispossession form and returning it to the court. Requires the domestic violence state coordinating council, in consultation with the administrative office of the courts, to develop the affidavit of firearms dispossession form and requires such form to be posted on the website of the administrative office of the courts. |
Senate Status: |
02/02/17 - Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee. |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-13-111 and Section 40-14-109, relative to notification to and procedures for domestic violence offenders. |
SB269
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CRIMINAL LAW: Regulations for handgun permit classes.
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Sponsors: |
Sen. Beavers, Mae , |
Summary: |
Requires that the state promulgate rules setting standards for handgun carry permit classes such as the maximum license fee, minimum training curriculum, and the qualifications of the instructors. Prohibits the state from promulgating rules requiring the passing of a written test, governing supplemental materials provided, limiting the duration of the course, or where the classes may meet. Allows for an application for the conversion of an eight year carry permit into a lifetime permit. |
Senate Status: |
02/02/17 - Introduced in the Senate |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to handgun carry permits. |
Position: |
Support |
Comment: |
Legislation addresses problems caused by over-regulation and micromanagement of the handgun training course/ranges by TDOS |
SB308/HB48
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CRIMINAL LAW: Allocation of handgun carry permit fees - financial assistance for families of slain police officers.
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Sponsors: |
Sen. Kyle, Sara , Rep. Clemmons, John |
Summary: |
Requires one-half of the application and processing fee for handgun carry permits to be annually donated to one or more nonprofit organizations established for the purpose of providing financial assistance to families of police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical staff who lost lives or are victims of serious, traumatic and disabling injury in the line of duty. |
Senate Status: |
02/02/17 - Filed for Introduction |
House Status: |
01/30/17 - Introduced in the House |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, relative to handgun carry permit fees. |
Position: |
Oppose |
SB309/HB47
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CRIMINAL LAW: Mandatory minimum sentences for certain criminal convictions involving semi-automatic firearms.
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Sponsors: |
Sen. Kyle, Sara , Rep. Clemmons, John |
Summary: |
Requires mandatory minimum sentences for certain criminal convictions involving semi-automatic firearms, including possessing such firearm with the intent to commit a dangerous felony. |
Senate Status: |
02/02/17 - Introduced in the Senate |
House Status: |
02/01/17 - Referred to House Civil Justice Subcommittee. |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to semi-automatic firearms. |
SB316/HB421
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CRIMINAL LAW: Asset Forfeiture and Disposition of Seized Property Act.
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Sponsors: |
Sen. Gardenhire, Todd , Rep. Daniel, Martin |
Summary: |
Establishes a new procedure for the seizure and forfeiture of assets as the result of criminal activity. Requires that the person be convicted of a crime before forfeiture can occur. Requires clear and convincing evidence that the property is subject to forfeiture. Provides that all money from seizure or property sold in forfeiture be deposited into the state general fund. |
Senate Status: |
02/02/17 - Filed for Introduction |
House Status: |
02/02/17 - Filed for Introduction |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39; Title 40; Title 53 and Title 55, relative to the "Asset Forfeiture and Disposition of Seized Property Act." |
SB339
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CRIMINAL LAW: Reduces the penalty for the offense of carrying a handgun without a permit.
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Sponsors: |
Sen. Niceley, Frank , |
Summary: |
Classifies that if a person commits an offense who carries with the intent to go armed with a handgun or a club, the first offense is a Class C misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation is a Class B misdemeanor. If a person commits an offense who carries with the intent to go armed with a handgun without authorization, it is a Class C misdemeanor punishable only by a fine of twenty-five dollars. A second or subsequent violation is a Class C misdemeanor punishable only by a fine of fifty dollars. |
Senate Status: |
02/02/17 - Filed for Introduction |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 40, relative to firearms. |
SB356
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CRIMINAL LAW: Possession or carrying of firearms by law enforcement officers.
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Sponsors: |
Sen. Tracy, Jim , |
Summary: |
Creates a new subsection stating that a law enforcement officer shall not be denied entry to or removed from an event when the officer holds a valid ticket or has paid a required admission fee to attend the event if the denial or removal is based on the officer's carrying of a firearm. The owner or operator of an event venue may require a law enforcement officer to inform them that the officer will be present at the event and in possession of a firearm. |
Senate Status: |
02/02/17 - Filed for Introduction |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to possession or carrying of firearms by law enforcement officers. |
Comment: |
This bill seems to create special privileges for civilians who are attending events based on the person's job duties - although, at the time the civilian would be off duty and not in the performance of official duties. Class legislation. |
SB386/HB367
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CRIMINAL LAW: Defenses to unlawful possession or carrying of a firearm for persons whose rights of citizenship are restored.
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Sponsors: |
Sen. Green, Mark , Rep. Reedy, Jay |
Summary: |
Permits the use of certain defenses to unlawful possession or carrying of a weapon by a person with a prior conviction for a felony involving the use of force, violence, deadly weapon, or drugs if the person's rights of citizenship have been restored. |
Senate Status: |
02/03/17 - Filed for Introduction |
House Status: |
02/02/17 - Introduced in the House |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1308 and Title 40, Chapter 29, Part 1, relative to firearms. |
Position: |
Support |
Comment: |
This fixes a court ruling that has created confusion about restorations and expungments. |
HB11
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CRIMINAL LAW: TN Hearing Protection Act.
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Sponsors: |
Rep. Goins, Tilman |
Summary: |
Enacts the "Tennessee Hearing Protection Act," which deletes the prohibition on possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale of a firearm silencer. |
House Status: |
01/24/17 - Referred to House Civil Justice Subcommittee. |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1301 and Section 39-17-1302, relative to prohibited weapons. |
Position: |
Support |
HB99
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CRIMINAL LAW: Partial expunction of criminal records.
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Sponsors: |
Rep. Lamberth, William |
Summary: |
Clarifies that partial expunction of criminal records are the removal of electronic records from relevant national, state, and local databases. Adds $5.00 to seat belt violation fines to cover court clerk costs. |
House Status: |
02/01/17 - Referred to House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-32-101 and Section 55-9-603, relative to criminal offenses. |
HB170
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EDUCATION: Permitting veterans to carry handguns on the property of certain postsecondary institutions.
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Sponsors: |
Rep. Matheny, Judd |
Summary: |
Permits veterans who possess a handgun carry permit to carry a handgun while on property owned, operated, or controlled by a public institution of higher education, if certain requirements are met, including notification of law enforcement agencies. Authorizes local law enforcement to develop and implement policies and procedures designed to implement the notification and confidentiality requirements of this bill. |
House Status: |
02/03/17 - Referred to House Civil Justice Subcommittee. |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 49, relative to permitting veterans to carry handguns on the property of certain postsecondary institutions. |
Position: |
Neutral |
Comment: |
This legislation appears to classify citizens and their exercise of fundamental rights based on current or prior jobs or titles. |
HB221
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CRIMINAL LAW: Creates a domestic abuse registry within the Tennessee bureau of investigation.
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Sponsors: |
Rep. Ragan, John |
Summary: |
Requires persons committing domestic assault or against whom a permanent order of protection has been entered to be placed on a domestic abuse registry maintained by the TBI for a period of 10 years from the expiration of the order or sentence for the conviction. If a conviction is expunged, the name and other identifying information of that person is also removed from the registry upon the person sending the TBI a copy of the expunction order. Requires that the domestic registry must be made available to the public on the TBI website. |
House Status: |
02/03/17 - Referred to House Civil Justice Subcommittee. |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36, Chapter 3, Part 6 and Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1, relative to the creation of a domestic abuse registry. |
HB363
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CRIMINAL LAW: Possession of firearms in certain places.
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Sponsors: |
Rep. Zachary, Jason |
Summary: |
Authorizes a handgun carry permit holder to carry a handgun into government-operated buildings unless there are metal detectors and armed security guards stationed at all public entrances. |
House Status: |
02/02/17 - Introduced in the House |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to the possession of firearms in certain places. |
Position: |
Amend |
Comment: |
Good start but need to strengthen relative to properties leased/rented to promoters and also perhaps parking lots. |
HB383
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CRIMINAL LAW: Expungement of records.
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Sponsors: |
Rep. Shaw, Johnny |
Summary: |
Reduces the fee for expungement to $205. Reduces the time after which sentences have been completed before a person can apply for expungement to one year. Allows a person to obtain expungement for an assault conviction. |
House Status: |
02/02/17 - Introduced in the House |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-32-101, relative to destruction of records. |
Cosponsors: |
Rep. Parkinson, Antonio; Rep. Stewart, Mike; |
Position: |
Neutral |
HB409
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EDUCATION: Employees carrying concealed weapons on the property of schools in distressed rural counties.
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Sponsors: |
Rep. Byrd, David |
Summary: |
Clarifies that the curriculum required before an employee is permitted to carry a handgun on the property of schools in distressed rural counties may be adapted by the instructing law enforcement agency from an existing curriculum approved by POST. |
House Status: |
02/02/17 - Filed for Introduction |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-816, relative to employees carrying concealed weapons on the property of certain schools. |
Comment: |
The school grounds issue changed in 2016 with 3 bills that created inconsistent standards depending on what kind of school it was and where it is located. All of these standards need to be addressed and fixed. |
HB418
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CRIMINAL LAW: Reduces expunction fee for criminal convictions.
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Sponsors: |
Rep. Akbari, Raumesh |
Summary: |
Reduces the expunction fee for criminal convictions from $350 to $180. Changes allocation of fee proceeds. |
House Status: |
02/02/17 - Filed for Introduction |
Caption: |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 8- 21-401 and Title 40, relative to expunction. |
Cosponsors: |
Rep. Lamberth, William; |