AMENDED CONCEALED CARRY BILL HEADS TO TENNESSEE HOUSE COMMITTEE

April 3, 2005--An amendment to Tennessee's concealed weapons carry law is now headed to the House Judiciary Constitutional Protections subcommittee.

The amended bill, HB 2225, would allow those with concealed weapons permits to carry those weapons into restaurants that serve alcohol.

A Senate version of the bill, SB 1901, passed by an overwhelming margin of 29 to 3 on March 23rd.

Current Tennessee law prohibits the carry of weapons into any establishment that sells alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption. This puts permit holders in the position of having to leave their guns in their vehicles, where they might be stolen.

Thirty three states allow permit holders to carry their concealed weapons into restaurants that serve alcohol. At least three states--Colorado, Idaho, and Utah--allow the carry of concealed weapons in bars, as long as the permit holder is not intoxicated.

HB 2225 would allow carry in restaurants, although permit holders would not be allowed to consume alcohol. Those carrying in such establishments without a permit would continue to be subject to existing law.

The bill would also give restaurant owners the discretion of disallowing carry in their establishments by posting a "no guns" sign. Under the existing Tennessee carry law, owners of businesses already have the right to post such signs.

Representative Frank Buck is the sponsor of the HB 2225. On March 31, the following co-sponsors were added:

Republican Leader Tre' Hargett of Shelby County
Rep. Paul Stanley of Shelby County
Rep. Curry Todd of Shelby County
Rep. Bubba Pleasant of Shelby County
Rep. Susan Lynn of Sumner/Wilson Counties
Rep. Debra Maggart of Sumner County
Rep. Phillip Johnson of Cheatham County

Tennessee gun owners should contact their representatives and politely ask them to support HB 2225. To find out who your state representative is, go to Who is my State Representative?