TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

State Lawmakers File More Than a Dozen Gun Bills

Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Jan 22, 2024

State lawmakers have so far filed more than a dozen firearm-related bills to be considered during this session, and they can continue to file legislation through the end of January, reports the Tennessean. Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, filed HB 1202 in January 2023, which would allow school staff to carry concealed handguns on campus. It was tabled following criticism from gun-reform advocates after the Covenant School shooting in March, but could be brought for a full House vote at nearly any time. The bill still has to go through the committee process in the Senate. SB 1693, sponsored by Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, would create a state gun violence prevention office within the Tennessee Department of Safety, which would be tasked with collecting data on gun violence with an aim at developing prevention strategies. The proposal needs a House sponsor before it can move forward. Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood, and Sen. Joey Hensely, R-Hohenwald, have filed HB 1631, which they say would clarify existing state law that allows private schools serving kindergarten through 12th grade to adopt a handgun carry policy. HB 1667, filed by Rep. Caleb Hemmer, D-Nashville, and sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, authorizes local governments to regulate gun storage in unoccupied vehicles. The proposal would apply only to counties with a population over 98,800. House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, and Sen. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, introduced HB 1640 which would block criminal defendants who are deemed mentally incompetent and unable to stand trial from legally buying or possessing a gun. The legislation would also require courts to report the incompetency findings to the FBI and Tennessee Department of Safety.

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