Gun owners in Tennessee have found themselves facing a barrage of anti-gun legislation as the session ramps up in The Volunteer State.
Nine anti-gun measures are currently under consideration in House subcommittees. And all would greatly infringe on lawful gun owners’ Second Amendment rights while having no effect on criminals or violent crime.
One measure, HB 2329, would roll back Tennessee’s status as a Constitutional, or “permitless,” carry state. The bill would delete the section concerning firearms carry that states, “or who lawfully carries a handgun pursuant to § 39-17-1307(g).”
Another measure would institute so-called “universal” background checks for guns sales in the state. HB 1593, by Democrat state Rep. Justin Pearson, would require a background check for every gun sold in the state, including private sales and purchases.
According to the text of the measure, “A person shall not sell or transfer ownership of a firearm, or purchase or obtain ownership of a firearm, unless one of the following applies: (1) The seller or transferor is a gun dealer; (2) The seller or transferor makes the sale or transfer to or through a gun dealer and obtains a receipt; (3) The sale or transfer of ownership of the firearm is one (1) of the following: (A) A firearm classified as an antique firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 921; (B) A transfer of a firearm between gun dealers or between wholesalers and dealers; or (C) A transfer of any firearm to a law enforcement or military agency.”
Yet another measure would ban a large number of semi-automatic rifles, which the legislation calls a “weapon of war,” along with magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. Among other things, HB 1935 defines a “weapon of war” thusly: “’Weapon of war’: (A) Means any of the following: (i) A semi-automatic, centerfire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one (1) of the following: (a) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon; (b) A thumbhole stock; (c) A folding or telescoping stock; (d) A grenade launcher or flare launcher; (e) A flash suppressor; or (f) A forward pistol grip.
A number of other measures of concern are also being considered in Tennessee legislative committees. HB 1587 prohibits the manufacture of semi-automatic rifles, HB 1589 prohibits the manufacture, transfer, or purchase of detachable ammunition magazines that hold 10 or more rounds, HB 1592 creates an offense if the owner of a firearm fails to report the loss or theft of the firearm to law enforcement within 24 hours, HB 1595 creates a committee to study the impacts of gun violence in the state, HB 1954 increases the penalty for transferring a firearm to a minor from a misdemeanor to a felony, and HB 2336 prohibits the manufacture, distribution, sale or transfer of 80% frames or lowers.
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