A proposed legislation in Tennessee was put forward this week, aiming to permit individuals with specific licenses to carry firearms in establishments that currently prohibit or restrict them.
The bill, identified as HB 2032, was introduced by Representative Jody Barrett, R-Dickson, on Tuesday.
If passed, this legislation would eliminate the violations associated with possessing a weapon in a building that restricts or prohibits them, thereby enabling those with an enhanced handgun carry permit to carry firearms inside such locations.
“Firearms and Ammunition – As introduced, removes the offense of possessing a weapon in a building that prohibits or restricts weapons; allows a person with an enhanced handgun carry permit to carry a handgun into a business that prohibits or restricts weapons; removes penalties for violations of certain firearms provisions. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.”
Barrett has sponsored and co-sponsored several bills in Tennessee related to firearms:
1. HB 2035: This bill, if enacted, would preempt all local legislation concerning extreme risk protection orders. It declares any federal statute, rule, executive order, or judicial order enforcing such orders as null and void.
Additionally, the bill creates a Class A misdemeanor for attempting to enforce a federally implemented extreme risk protection order.
2. HB 7043: This proposed legislation allows individuals with an enhanced handgun carry permit to carry a handgun on school property unless the school has armed security.
The bill removes certain exemptions related to law enforcement officers’ authority to possess a firearm on school grounds and permits specific community corrections officers to carry a handgun on school property.
3. HB 0746: If passed, this bill would eliminate the authorization for any individual, corporation, business entity, or government entity to prohibit the possession of weapons at meetings or on properties they own, operate, manage, or control.
The legislation also removes the criminal offense of possessing a weapon in a building or on properly posted property.
