Three important pro-gun bills are up for consideration in the House Criminal Practice Subcommittee on Wednesday, March 20, 2002.
Please contact the members of the committee and ask that they support the following bills:
HOUSE BILL 2595 Possession of handguns where alcoholic beverages are sold
Allows Right to Carry permit holders to carry their handguns where alcoholic beverages are sold, as long as the carrier is not consuming alcohol and has a valid carry permit.
Many Right to Carry states including Florida and Texas have this provision on their books. It has caused no problems. Permit holders are responsible and law-abiding regardless of where they carry their firearms.
HOUSE BILL 2598 State residency requirement for handgun permit removed
This bill authorizes citizens from other states to obtain a Tennessee Right to Carry permit. This will allow people doing business in, and traveling to, Tennessee to protect themselves while in the state. Many states allow non-residents to obtain their permits and there have been no problems.
HOUSE BILL 2599 Out-of-state handgun permits.
Establishes that Tennessee will recognize all 43 states that have handgun carry permit laws. Authorizes the Commissioner of Safety to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states as well.
This will significantly increase the number of states that recognize Tennessee Right to carry permits.
Some legislators oppose this bill because the standards for obtaining a carry permit vary from state to state. The argument for the bill is that all permit holders, regardless of their state of residence, have proven themselves to be responsible and law-abiding. It is time for Tennessee to give full faith and credit to all permits from across the country. Tennessee recognizes all driver licenses and, of course, the standards for obtaining a license vary from state to state.
Below is a list of committee members listed in order of priority for calls and e-mails.
Representative Bobby Sands (chairman)
Demorat-District 64
(615) 741-4153
Kim McMillan
Democrat-District 67
(615) 741-2043
Keith Westmoreland (vice-chairman)
Republican-District 2
(615) 741-4553
John Windle
Democrat-District 41
(615) 741-1260
Chris Newton
Republican-District 22
(615) 741-2371
Mae Beavers
Republican-District 14
(615) 741-2421
Henri Brooks
Democrat-District 92
(615) 741-5625