HB 2554by *Hurt: As introduced, expands the definition of “law enforcement officer” to include a person who has been issued an enhanced handgun carry permit; provided, that the permit is not suspended, revoked, or expired, for purposes of authority to carry a firearm under certain circumstances.
(5) For purposes of this section, “law enforcement officer” also means a person
who has been issued an enhanced handgun carry permit pursuant to § 39-17-1351;
provided, that the enhanced handgun carry permit is not suspended, revoked, or
expired.
And it has a Senate companion bill.
I am going to have to go with separation of Church and State with this one for the moment. I am not interested to be a cop nor I will have the protections, insurance (Health and otherwise), legal backing or any of the alleged benefits you may get from being a cop other than being able to carry in usually prohibited places for civilians and the ease to obtain NFA items. This bill needs to be defined a bit more to make it palatable to yours truly.
UPDATE: Readers hightecrebel and Jack point out (and probably right) that the bill just it just expands where somebody with an Enhanced Carry permit can carry.
Part 13 – Weapons
39-17-1350 – Law enforcement officers permitted to carry firearms Exceptions Restrictions Identification card for corrections officers.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any law enforcement officer may carry firearms at all times and in all places within Tennessee, on-duty or off-duty, regardless of the officer’s regular duty hours or assignments, except as provided by subsection (c), federal law, lawful orders of court or the written directives of the executive supervisor of the employing agency.
(b) The authority conferred by this section is expressly intended to and shall supersede restrictions placed upon law enforcement officers’ authority to carry firearms by other sections within this part.
(c) The authority conferred by this section shall not extend to a law enforcement officer:
(1) Who is not engaged in the actual discharge of official duties as a law enforcement officer and carries a firearm onto school grounds or inside a school building during regular school hours unless the officer immediately informs the principal that the officer will be present on school grounds or inside the school building and in possession of a firearm. If the principal is unavailable, the notice may be given to an appropriate administrative staff person in the principal’s office;
(2) Who is consuming beer or an alcoholic beverage or who is under the influence of beer, an alcoholic beverage, or a controlled substance; or
(3) [Deleted by 2009 amendment.]
(4) Who is not engaged in the actual discharge of official duties as a law enforcement officer while attending a judicial proceeding.
(5) For purposes of this section, “law enforcement officer” also means a person
who has been issued an enhanced handgun carry permit pursuant to § 39-17-1351;
provided, that the enhanced handgun carry permit is not suspended, revoked, or
expired.
OK, that makes more sense, but still need a bit wee more confirmation from local legislative experts (of which I am not) that we are not going to suddenly be engaged in police activities.
My bad, I am still trying to learn how things are done here in TN and shaking away the Florida formats. Learning curve and all that. Thank you to hightecrebel and Jack for the insight and please people, don’t be afraid to point out screw ups. I am married close to 4 decades, so I am used to being told I am wr0ng.
Hhhmmm. I dont wanna be a cop either…. Wierd bill
Am I misreading it somehow? It seems like it just means ECP will be able to carry in the same places/occasions as LEO’s, meaning cities can’t prohibit citizens from carrying places the cops can.
That is what I am reading also. It says “(5) For purposes of this section,” and, if I am reading it correctly, the section in question just covers where a “law enforcement officer” is allowed to carry. This doesn’t turn a CCW holder into a cop, just gives them the right to carry anywhere a cop would have that right. However IANAL.
Both of you could be right, but like I said, I need more detail or the bill does. Maybe I am just too paranoid…
Just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean libtards aren’t actually trying to cut the twins off.
The number one thing you need to learn about Tennessee politics is that if the media says republicans are doing something outrageous, the media is lying.
If you start from that premise you’ll rarely go wrong.
So about the same as Florida 😀
This bill is rather a mess.
Since it adds a new subsection (5) within section (c) the natural construction is that the new text applies “the authority … shall not extend” to permit holders. Which makes no sense because the article itself grants no authority to such holders.
If it were intended to apply the authority to carry to permit holders, one would expect the new text to be section (d), not subsection (c)(5). Even if that were done it would still be a mess because section (a) speaks of written orders by the head of the employing agency, which doesn’t make sense in the case of permit holders.
Is there any discussion (perhaps from the politicians proposing this stuff) what the intent is? Perhaps someone who can write meaningful English can help them achieve what they want.