NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A bill that would significantly expand access to guns in Tennessee is one step closer to becoming law.
This week House Bill 1005 by Rep. Rusty Grills (R—Newbern) would allow Tennesseans with an enhanced or a concealed carry permit to carry long guns, including AR-15 rifles or shotguns. Currently, state law prohibits people with those permits from carrying anything more than handguns. The proposed bill would replace all instances of “handguns” in the code to “firearms.”
The bill would also recognize the carry permits, including “handgun permit, firearms permit, weapons permit, or license” from another state as valid “as if it is a firearm carry permit issued in this state.”
During a House committee meeting Wednesday, the bill was further amended to also lower the permissive age from 21 to 18.
Here is the bill: Tennessee General Assembly Legislation HB 1005 (tn.gov). And even though a minor is still prohibited from carrying, it lists a long list of exceptions including being in a competition, protecting livestock, carrying with a guardian and carrying on private property with the permission of the parent or guardian.
No time-wasting Chest-Thumping theatrics, but getting shit done one piece at the time. Amazing how that works!