Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday proposed constitutional carry gun legislation that would permit law-abiding residents who are at least 21 years old to carry a handgun without a permit, except in certain restricted areas.
Constitutional carry applies to both open carry and concealed carry. Current state law requires a permit for both.
“The Second Amendment is clear and concise and secures the freedoms of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms,” Lee said in his announcement. “I am pleased to announce constitutional carry legislation today that will protect the Second Amendment rights of Tennesseans, while also stiffening penalties on criminals who steal or illegally possess firearms. I appreciate Lt. Governor [Randy] McNally and Speaker [Cameron] Sexton for helping to lead the way on this important issue.”
Lee also proposed stricter penalties for people who violate gun laws, including increasing the penalty for stealing a firearm to a felony and increasing the mandatory minimum sentence for firearm theft from 30 days to 189 days, among other things.
“A big part of protecting the Second Amendment for law-abiding citizens is cracking down on criminals who use guns,” said Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge. “We will make sure those who commit crimes with firearms serve their full sentences and nothing less. Many states across the nation are moving towards permitless carry, and I support the governor in this initiative.”
Democrats in the General Assembly criticized the governor’s gun proposal, suggesting it would increase gun violence.
“Whether you live in a city or a suburb, no family is made safer by laws that encourage more untrained and unlicensed people to carry lethal firearms,” Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, said in a news release. “Tennesseans support the Second Amendment, but they also believe firmly in responsible gun ownership and policies, like mandatory background checks, that promote accountability. Permitless carry is a bad idea that endangers every Tennessean.”
Republicans have a 73-26 majority in the House and a 28-5 majority in the Senate.
