Posted on 02/28/2020 4:02:40 PM PST by PROCON
“The Second Amendment is clear and concise and secures the freedoms of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms,” said Gov. Bill Lee, announcing legislation for constitutional carry in the state. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Republican Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday went public with his plans to bring a constitutional carry law to the Volunteer State.
The proposal would recognize the right for those 21 or older in Tennessee to carry a handgun without a permit except for currently restricted areas. The move has the backing of Lt. Governor Randy McNally, state Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, and state House Majority Leader William Lamberth, support which would appear to guarantee clear sailing.
“The Second Amendment is clear and concise and secures the freedoms of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms,” said Lee in a press conference.
While the text of the proposal was not made available on Thursday, Lee said the move would put Tennessee in the same club as 16 other states who generally recognize the right to carry a concealed handgun without first having to get a permit.
The announcement was welcomed by the National Rifle Association, who said it would “ensure that no honest, hard-working Tennessean is ever left defenseless while waiting for government permission or wading through red-tape.” The member association is set to have its annual meeting in Nashville in April.
Meanwhile, local pro-gun groups such as the Tennessee Firearms Association said they were “optimistic but extremely guarded as to whether it could support all of the bill,” as its contents were not public.
Of note, Lee came to office last year on an endorsement from the NRA, beating the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, former Nashville mayor Karl Dean, and replacing term-limited Republican Gov. Bill Haslam. While in office, Haslam signed several pro-gun bills including one to allow guns in parks and another for lifetime carry permits, but his administration erected roadblocks to open carry and permitless carry bills, despite campaign pledges to support it.
In addition to the carry provisions, Lee’s office noted that the bill is coupled with greater punishments for firearm-related crime including increasing the penalty for theft of a firearm to a felony and bumping up the minimum sentence for theft of a firearm from 30 days to 180 days.
“This constitutional carry package is historic because not only does it uphold the freedoms granted to us by our nation’s founding fathers, it also imposes mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines on bad guys who illegally obtain or use handguns,” said Rep. Lamberth.
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I used to be a lot more ambivalent about this than I am now. Seeing how the left is assaulting not just this right but all others I want Greg Abbot to make this a law in Texas. It is time and past time to make freaks in Autin feel uncomfortable.
If you are 18 (maybe 21) and want to pack either concealed or openly, then you should be able too.
We’re going to need it with all the illegals he wants to invite to Tennessee.
My name is Hugh the Scot, and I approve this message.
I will never live in a State that doesn’t have Constitutional Carry.
I currently live in one of the freest States in the Union, Mississippi.
I’ts been done in many states already with no real problems, yet every time it’s brought up new, there will be murder and mayhem.
Confirmed. I have a sister in the great State of Mississippi and a friend in the MBI.
RINO Haslam is now running for Alexander’s Senate seat.
What is your opinion of Governor Lee?
I would go for 18 if a member of the armed services, and 21 otherwise. Then again, I'm also a believer that if you can serve your country, you should be able to drink a beer or anything else legally as well.
“in 1968 I bought a Ruger .357 Blackhawk”
When in college in TN I bought a Ruger 357 Blackhawk in 1968 also. Great gun. Still got it and carry it sometimes. Still in TN and glad Governor is pushing for Constitutional carry but wish he would close the state to receiving all the government transplants.
Austin is not Texas. Sheriffs protect their citizens as they see fit and don’t care one whit what comes out of Austin.
Love that pic. Now let’s all play “name those guns”!
Much better on the 2nd Amendment. Squishy on refugees.
“We’re going to need it with all the illegals he wants to invite to Tennessee.”
Yeah. I’ve been really ticked off at Lee for wanting illegals to be brought here. This Constitutional Carry is a good thing, too. I’m conflicted.
In the past, I argued in favor of open carry but have changed that opinion a little bit after seeing a few jackasses acting weird and bothering people with open carry (e.g., big, honking .45 in Mexican carry, quickly walking like Groucho Marx up too close to one person after another, making Adam Schiff eyes at them). Open carry is good for concealed carriers (inadvertent printing, inadvertent partial exposures, etc.) who are not obviously trying to cause trouble. Also good for people who are outdoors, doing something legit and acting normal.
Roger that!
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