March 10, 2010 is “Gun Day” in the Tennessee House

2009 was one of the most dramatic years that Tennessee’s firearms owners have seen since the era from 1994 through 1997 when Tennessee overhauled its handgun permit laws.  In 2009, Tennessee’s firearms owners were able to help push through their longstanding demands for the repeal of various laws which prohibited possession by handgun permit holders in places that serve alcohol, in some parks, and many other important but less publicized changes.

In November 2009, a Chancellor in Davidson County ruled that the 2009 creation of an exception to the alcohol statute for permit holders - which was historic - and the swift and certain override of a governor’s veto was nonetheless ineffective as an unconstitutional law because of its “vagueness”.  This was perceived as a major victor by those who generally oppose gun rights.

Our supporters in the General Assembly are ready to respond to the Chancellor, the Governor and those who brought on this litigation with a new law that is designed to overcome the vagueness and establish that it is the General Assembly which sets the public policy - within constitutional limits - for the state of Tennessee. 

However, there are several versions of the bill pending.  It is critical that we pass the cleanest, shortest, simpliest, bill possible to minimize the potential of yet another Chancellor defeating the work. 

Perhaps the best bill - and at present TFA’s choice - for fixing the problem is HB2694 by Dennis (SB3735 by Bunch) which simply repeals the existing law (39-17-1305) which prohibits possession of firearms in places where alcohol or beer is served.  No ambiguity there since the law is gone!  Now, that does not mean that these places would be open to anyone.  Three existing and longstanding laws would still apply: 

  (1) 39-17-1307 which prohibits carry in public without a permit would make it illegal to carry in any such location just as it is illegal to carry in Cracker Barrell without a permit;

  (2) 39-17-1321 would still prohibit possession of the handgun if the person is under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance; and

  (3) 39-17-1359 would still allow these places to post the property gun free.

In essence, the places that serve would not longer be uniquely covered under a separate statute but would be covered under the same statutory scheme as applies to all other businesses and property interests. 

A second alternative would be a bill (or amendment) something along the lines of a simple exemption under the existing alcohol statute (39-17-1305) - something like “persons carrying pursuant to TCA 39-17-1351”. There is nothing to interpret at that point.

Third choice - do we pass something less acceptable (subject to court attack) or sit back and try again in 2011?

In order to pass something it is imperative that we call our legislators - email them and write them. Don’t wait for someone else to do it - you must get involved and help.  If these legislators do not hear from us on our preferences they may well pick the alternative that is less likely to trigger news media mischaracterization.

Look up your House and Senate members and call them today, tomorrow and every day until this passes.  Tell them to support HB2694 by Dennis (SB3735 by Bunch) and ask them to CONFIRM that they will or tell you why the do not so that we can deal with their concerns.  Report you activities and their responses back to the TFA Forum.

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Criminal Practices Subcommitee of the House Judiciary - Gun Bill Day March 10, 2010

It is my understanding that most of the firearms bills are being set on a special calendar on March 10, 2010.  That is significant and if you can be in Nashville that day for that hearing - be here!!  It is also important to note that the subcommittee has announced it is closing on March 17 so it is important that the firearms bills which we support get a big push over the next 2 weeks which means - calls, letters, emails, etc.

The commitee’s web site  has the names, addresses and email address of each member.  Focus now on both the full Judiciary as well as the Criminal Practices Subcommittee.  As a general rule, there are 2 members of the subcommittee (Camper and Sontany) who will vote against these bills and with only 6 members that leaves very little margin for us to work in. 

Contact and call them ALL - even if you are not in their district.  If they ask the “district” question, respond that your representative does in fact serve on the committee or that your representative does not and that you are contacting the committee directly since your representative does not get to vote on whether this bill gets to the floor for a full representative vote - be insistent if you have to that they record your preference.  All committee members need to hear from you.

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This is a list of the bills which have had activity in February. 

SB 0565
HB 0414*
CRIMINAL LAW: Inmate relations coordinators to carry firearms. Authorizes vested inmate relations coordinators to carry firearms to same extent as correctional officers.
Oversight Corrections Committee comment: Oversight Corrections Committee 03/16/2009 adopted and released to full committee with additional remark that this bill is anticipated to have a minimal impact on corrections because there is no change in current law which grants the commissioner of correction the authority to restrict these individuals from carrying firearms on prison property in accordance with current department of correction policy.
TCA Secs. 39-17-1300; 39-17-1350

Senate Status: Senate Judiciary 02/23/2010 recommended. Sent to Calendar Committee.
House Status: House passed 04/06/2009.
Other Status: Oversight Corrections Committee 03/16/2009 reviewed, comment adopted and released to full committee.

SB 0576*
HB 1807
CRIMINAL LAW: Handgun permit holders to carry guns where alcohol served. Allows any individual who has a permit to carry a handgun to carry the gun into a location where alcohol is served for consumption on premises provided the individual is not consuming alcohol or is not otherwise prohibited by posting provisions.
TCA Secs. 39-17-1300; 39-17-1305

Senate Status: Taken off notice in Senate Judiciary Firearms & Ammunitions Subcommittee 03/18/2009.
House Status: House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee deferred to 03/10/2010.

SB 0637
HB 0675*
CAMPAIGNS & LOBBYING: Child support obligations and voting privileges. Removes requirement that a person be current in all child support obligations to retain the right to vote.
TCA Secs. 40-29-0200; 40-29-0202

Senate Status: Referred to Senate State & Local Government.
House Status: House sponsor changed from Turner L. to Turner J. on 02/11/2010.

SB 0723*
HB 1645
EDUCATION: School district police force for Memphis City schools. Allows the Memphis City School System to establish and operate a school district police force.

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee deferred to 02/24/2010.

SB 0724
HB 0517*
CRIMINAL LAW: Requires expunction of certain criminal records. Requires expunction of criminal records when 15 years has elapsed and the individual has not committed any major crime since and when the original crime was not a Class A or Class B felony or certain Class C felonies such as sexual offenses.
Judicial Council comment: Judicial Council adopted and released to full committee with additional remark that ban offender’s history of criminal convictions is a crucial part of Tennessee’s sentencing structure, and allowing offenders to expunge those records will deprive the courts of the opportunity to fulfill their statutorily-mandated obligation to consider those convictions when sentencing an offender who commits a subsequent offense. The Council also stated that data regarding criminal convictions is often purchased by third parties who may then transfer the data to other persons/entities, and it will be impossible for state agencies to retrieve this data for removal/destruction. Finally, the Council observed that the sponsor may wish to consider amending the existing statutory language which requires the removal and destruction of “all public records of a person.” This language should be narrowed to include only the records of the offense at issue. As written, the language could be interpreted as requiring the destruction of records for other criminal offenses, as well as “public records” such as birth certificates and driver licenses.
TCA Secs. 40-32-0000; 40-32-0101

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Taken off notice in House Criminal Practice Subcommittee 02/17/2010.
Other Status: Tennessee Judicial Council reviewed 03/26/2009 with comment.

SB 0842
HB 0770*
CRIMINAL LAW: Handgun permit holder allowed to carry gun while bowhunting. Allows a person with a handgun carry permit to carry a handgun while hunting big game with a bow and arrow during the archery-only deer season.
Amendment: House amendment 1 changes effective date to July 1, 2010.
TCA Secs. 39-00-0000; 70-04-0123

Senate Status: Senate passed 02/24/2010.
House Status: House 02/22/2010 passed with amendment 1, which changes effective date to July 1, 2010.

SB 1615*
HB 1801
CRIMINAL LAW: Handgun carry permits. Provides that “handgun carry permit” may be used interchangeably with “weapon carry permit” where applicable in existing Tennessee law concerning carry permits.
TCA Secs. 39-17-1300; 39-17-1351

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee deferred to 03/10/2010.

SB 1619*
HB 1805
CRIMINAL LAW: Carrying a firearm in any public park. Excludes holder of handgun carry permit from prohibition against carrying a firearm in any public park, playground, civic center, or other public recreational area or facility.
TCA Secs. 39-17-1300; 39-17-1311; 39-17-1359

Senate Status: Taken off notice in Senate Judiciary Firearms & Ammunitions Subcommittee 03/18/2009.
House Status: House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee deferred to 03/10/2010.

SB 1620*
HB 1808
CRIMINAL LAW: Gun permit holder change of address. Extends the time that a permit holder has to notify the department of safety that the permit holder’s address has changed from 60 days to 90 days.
TCA Secs. 39-17-0000; 39-17-1357

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee deferred to 03/10/2010.

SB 1621*
HB 1809
CRIMINAL LAW: Rules concerning weapons subject to review. Specifies that the rules concerning weapons are to be subject to review by the house and senate government operations committees.
TCA Secs. 39-17-1300; 39-17-1355

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee deferred to 03/10/2010.

SB 1622*
HB 1806
CRIMINAL LAW: Carrying handgun on school grounds with permit - in vehicle. Authorizes a non-student adult who has a handgun carry permit to carry a firearm if the firearm is contained within a private vehicle and is not handled by the adult, or by any other person acting with the expressed or implied consent of the adult, while the vehicle is on school property.
TCA Secs. 39-17-1300; 39-17-1309

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee deferred to 03/10/2010.

SB 1648
HB 0725*
ENVIRONMENT & NATURE: Hunting or taking of animals by use of bait. Clarifies that hunting or taking animals by use of bait shall not be prohibited unless the bait is visible at the time and location of such hunt or taking.
TCA Secs. 70-04-0100; 70-04-0113

Senate Status: Taken off notice in Senate Environment, Conservation & Tourism 04/21/2009.
House Status: House Wildlife Subcommittee deferred to 03/02/2010.

SB 1744
HB 1129*
CRIMINAL LAW: Crime Free School Zone Act. Enacts the “Crime Free School Zone Act.” Provides increased criminal penalties for specified offenses occurring on school grounds or within 1000 feet of a school, public library, recreational center or park. Offenses include drug and sexual offenses, felonies involving deadly weapons and carjacking.
TCA Secs. 39-00-0000; 39-17-0432; 40-00-0000; 40-35-0100; 49-00-0000

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee deferred to 03/03/2010.

SB 2334
HB 2376*
CRIMINAL LAW: Disposition of confiscated weapons. Deletes requirement that weapon declared contraband is to be destroyed if not sold at public sale or used for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Requires the proceeds from the sale of confiscated weapons to go into the county or municipal general fund and to be allocated solely for law enforcement purposes.
Amendment: House amendment 1 allows the chief of police, sheriff, commissioner of safety or the director of the TBI to determine those weapons that are inoperable and can certify to court those weapons that are inoperable and can be destroyed. Senate amendment 2 specifies that the funds collected pursuant to this bill will go to the general fund and will not be earmarked for law enforcement purposes.
Conference Committee: Conference Committee Report on HB 2376/SB 2334 recommends that Senate amendment 2 be deleted and that House amendment 1 be adopted.
TCA Sec. 39-17-1317

Senate Status: Senate 02/17/2010 adopted conference committee report.
House Status: House 06/18/2009 adopted conference committee report.
Other Status: Sent to the speakers for signatures 02/17/2010.

SB 2390*
HB 2567
CRIMINAL LAW: Exception to unlawful gun possession for certain motorists. Allows individuals without handgun carry permits to transport rifle or shotgun in privately-owned motor vehicle provided there is no ammunition in the chamber or cylinder and no loaded clip or magazine in the weapon or in close proximity to the weapon.
Amendment: Senate amendment 1 limits the exception that this bill would add to persons who do not have a handgun carry permit, who are transporting an unloaded shotgun or rifle in a privately-owned motor vehicle, and who have not been convicted of a felony involving the use or attempted use of force, violence or a deadly weapon, or been convicted of a felony drug offense.
TCA Secs. 39-17-1300; 39-17-1307; 39-17-1308

Senate Status: Senate 02/18/2010 passed with amendment 1.
House Status: House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee deferred to 03/10/2010.

SB 2391*
HB 3240
CRIMINAL LAW: Limits governor’s authority during state of emergency. Removes the authority of the governor to commandeer or limit the sale or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or firearm or ammunition components during a state of emergency, major disaster, or natural disaster.
TCA Secs. 58-02-0100; 58-02-0107

Senate Status: Senate Judiciary 02/23/2010 recommended. Sent to Calendar Committee.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.

SB 2518
HB 2539*
CRIMINAL LAW: Pardons - restoring of rights. Clarifies that a pardon for an offense restores a person’s civil and constitutional rights in the state.
TCA Secs. 08-00-0000; 22-00-0000; 36-00-0000; 38-00-0000; 39-00-0000; 40-00-0000; 40-27-0108; 57-00-0000

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Failed in House Criminal Practice Subcommittee 02/17/2010.

SB 2519
HB 2540*
ENVIRONMENT & NATURE: Hunting and fishing on farmland. Owners of farmland whose names appear on deed to property and their children and grandchildren are exempted from hunting and fishing licensure requirements on such property.
TCA Sec. 70-02-0204

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Environment, Conservation & Tourism.
House Status: Withdrawn in House 02/11/2010.

SB 2528*
HB 2881
CRIMINAL LAW: Handgun carry permits: searchable database. Enables the department of safety to distribute materials related to handgun permits electronically and searchable by: law enforcement, child support enforcement, court orders, and certain written requests. Enables the department to display a list of revoked handgun permits.
TCA Secs. 10-07-0500; 10-07-0504; 39-17-1300

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.

SB 2538
HB 2558*
CRIMINAL LAW: Handgun permit renewal. Reduces the delay to 60 days for an applicant receiving a renewed handgun permit after applying for the handgun permit within six months from the handgun permit’s expiration date.
TCA Secs. 39-17-1300; 39-17-1351

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Withdrawn in House 02/11/2010.

SB 2754*
HB 2832
CRIMINAL LAW: Vehicle transport of firearms without a permit. Establishes that a person without a handgun carry permit is allowed to transport a rifle or shotgun in a privately-owned motor vehicle as long as the firearm does not have ammunition in the chamber or cylinder and no clip or magazine containing ammunition is inserted in the firearm or in close proximity to the weapon.
TCA Secs. 39-17-1300; 39-17-1307

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.

SB 2757*
HB 2918
CRIMINAL LAW: Aggravating factors for purposes of imposing death sentence. Adds discrimination, drive-by-shooting, and witness intimidation to the list of statutory aggravating circumstances for imposing the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole in first degree murder cases.
TCA Secs. 39-00-0000; 39-13-0204; 40-00-0000

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: House Finance Budget Subcommittee 02/24/2010 set behind budget.

SB 2770*
HB 3077
CRIMINAL LAW: Perjury: false statements not under oath and false evidence. Establishes that the following items are perjury if made during an official proceeding: a knowingly false statement not under oath but made during an official proceeding, or the intentional introduction or affirmation of false evidence. Classifies that perjury made by a licensed attorney is a Class E felony.
TCA Secs. 39-00-0000; 39-16-0702; 40-00-0000

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.

SB 3008
HB 2762*
CRIMINAL LAW: Selling synthetic urine: crime and exemptions. Specifies that it is a Class C misdemeanor to sell synthetic urine, unless it is sold for education, medical, or scientific purposes and the seller provides documentation proving its purpose for each individual sale.
TCA Secs. 39-17-0400; 39-17-0437

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.

SB 3009*
HB 3141
CRIMINAL LAW: Storage of firearm in vehicle by employee. Allows an employee with a handgun carry permit to possess a firearm in the employer’s parking lot as long as the vehicle is locked and the firearm is not visible from the outside of the vehicle. Prohibits an employer from discriminating against an employee for possessing a firearm in their vehicle.
TCA Sec. 39-17-1300

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.

SB 3012*
HB 3125
CRIMINAL LAW: Possession of handgun in restaurants serving alcohol. Authorizes a person to carry a firearm in a restaurant licensed by the alcohol beverage commission as long as said person is not consuming alcohol, which would result in a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a minimum incarceration period of 72 hours and a minimum $500 fine. Allows businesses to post a notice of prohibition of firearms, specifying that violators with a handgun carry permit that consume alcohol in a prohibited area to be charged with a Class A misdemeanor with an incarceration period of not less than 48 hours, a fine not less than $500, and the revocation of the violator’s handgun carry permit. Requires the handgun safety courses to include a one-hour instruction on alcohol and drugs related to firearms.
TCA Secs. 39-17-1300; 39-17-1305; 39-17-1351; 39-17-1359; 57-03-0204; 57-04-0203

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.

SB 3025*
HB 3220
TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES: ATVs to be allowed on certain highways. Prohibits all-terrain vehicles on a highway that is part of the interstate highway system and a highway having two lanes, except to cross such highway. Authorizes municipalities or counties to allow all-terrain vehicles on certain highways under such entity’s sole jurisdiction.
TCA Secs. 55-00-0000; 55-03-0101; 55-08-0000

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Transportation.
House Status: House Transportation Rural Roads Subcommittee deferred to summer study.

SB 3028
HB 3079*
TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES: Registration and operation of ATVs. Defines, for purposes of registration and operation on specified highways under certain conditions, “all-terrain vehicle” (ATV) as designed for travel over unimproved terrain and being 52 inches or less with at least one head light and tail light and an unladen weight of 800 pounds of less with three or more low pressure tires. Encourages state and local government agencies to make local parks, natural areas and forest areas available for use by all-terrain vehicles to the extent practicable and coordinate with counties and municipalities to make certain streets, roads or highways available for ATV use.
Amendment: House Government Operations Committee amendment 1 conforms to existing state definitions for ATVs. House Government Operations Committee amendment 2 changes effective date to January 1, 2011.
TCA Secs. 55-00-0000; 55-03-0101; 55-04-0000; 55-04-0202; 55-04-0203; 55-04-0209; 55-04-0210; 55-08-0000

Senate Status: Senate Transportation deferred to 03/09/2010.
House Status: House Government Operations 02/24/2010 recommended with amendments 1 and 2. Amendment 1 conforms to existing state definitions for ATVs. Amendment 2 changes effective date to January 1, 2011. Sent to House Transportation.

SB 3240
HB 2819*
ANIMALS & ANIMAL HUSBANDRY: Requires owners to restrain or confine dogs. Enacts the Destiny Knox Act. Requires an owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog to restrain the dog at all times on a leash or similar device when the dog is in such person’s immediate control. Specifies the dollar amount for each fine with regards to violation of this legislation.
TCA Sec. 44-08-0108

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Agriculture.

SB 3247
HB 3096*
JUDICIARY: AOC to develop form for dismissal of charges. Requires the administrative office of the courts to include a form on its web site for a person that was arrested under suspicion of a criminal offense but whose charge was dismissed under certain conditions. Specifies that it is the duty of the individual to request such a form.
TCA Secs. 40-00-0000; 40-32-0100

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: House Government Operations 02/23/2010 recommended. Sent to House Judiciary.

SB 3280*
CRIMINAL LAW: Exempts military from paying fee for handgun carry permit. Establishes that military personnel who have completed at least four hours of handgun training shall be exempt from the $115 application and processing fee for a handgun carry permit.
TCA Secs. 39-17-0000; 39-17-1351

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.

SB 3307
HB 3273*
CRIMINAL LAW: Discharging a firearm into an unoccupied habitation. Classifies the intentional discharge of a firearm in an unoccupied habitation as a Class D felony and the intentional discharge of a firearm in an occupied habitation as a Class C felony.
TCA Secs. 39-00-0000; 39-13-0100

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.

SB 3310
HB 3031*
CRIMINAL LAW: Justifiable use of force. Revises the castle doctrine to prohibit a person from criminal prosecution or civil action in the use of force which is justified. Directs the commissioner of commerce and insurance to determine whether there are impediments inhibiting insurance companies from underwriting coverage in the event of such justifiable use of force in the protection of person or property.
Amendment: House Judiciary Criminal Practice amendment 1 deletes section 1 of the bill, which would have given immunity for self-defense in criminal prosecutions and civil action.
TCA Secs. 39-11-0622; 56-00-0000; 56-01-0100

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: House Judiciary Committee deferred to last calendar of 2010.

SB 3376
HB 2421*
CRIMINAL LAW: Requirements regarding the purchase and sale of firearms. Requires the gun dealer to obtain the thumbprints of the purchaser on the firearms transaction thumbprint form and attach the form to the gun dealer’s copy of the firearm transaction record to be filed. Allows the gun dealer to destroy the form one year after the form’s completion. Requires the TBI to publish the firearms transaction thumbprint form and to furnish the form to gun dealers on application at cost.
TCA Secs. 39-17-1300; 39-17-1316

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.

SB 3377
HB 2422*
CRIMINAL LAW: Regulations for the operation of a gun show. Defines “gun show”, “gun show dealer” and “gun show promoter”. Establishes a Class A misdemeanor for the following offenses: (1) for any person to organize, plan, promote, or operate a gun show unless that person notifies the TBI and the chief law enforcement officer in the county in which the gun show is to be held of the dates, times and location of such gun show; (2) for any person to organize, plan, promote, or operate a gun show unless that person verifies the identity of each gun show dealer through valid identification documents containing a photograph and a signed ledger with the dealer’s name and address, and a copy of such records are to be kept at the permanent place of business of the gun show promoter for one year from the date of the gun show; (3) for any person who is not licensed to transfer a firearm to another person to do so at a gun show or within 1000 feet of the property on which a gun show is being conducted.
TCA Secs. 39-17-0000; 39-17-1301; 39-17-1300

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.

SB 3445
HB 3624*
CRIMINAL LAW: Juveniles - conduct involving a firearm. Allows the court to order that a child that is found delinquent based on conduct involving the use of a firearm be assigned a long-term mentor, receive counseling services from the department of children’s services, or be tried as an adult in certain circumstances involving a firearm. Broadly captioned.
TCA Secs. 37-00-0000; 37-01-0131; 37-01-0134; 39-00-0000; 40-00-0000

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Caption bill held on House clerk’s desk.

SB 3714
HB 3712*
CRIMINAL LAW: Restaurant owners allowing handguns on property. Allows restaurant owners to post signage addressing the prohibition of alcohol consumption by a person carry a firearm and prevents the owners from being held liable for any damage from a person bringing a firearm on to the premises if a sign is posted.
TCA Sec. 39-17-1305

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.

SB 3735
HB 2694*
CRIMINAL LAW: Repeals: prohibition of firearm combination with alcohol. Repeals the previous prohibition of possessing a firearm in a building where alcoholic beverages are served in public.
TCA Sec. 39-17-1305

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.

NOTE:  IF WE ONLY CAN PASS ONE BILL THIS YEAR - THIS NEEDS TO BE IT!!!!!!!!

SB 3745
HB 3064*
MEDIA & PUBLISHING: Reproduction of handgun carry permit records. Limits reproduction of records for handgun carry permit applications and materials submitted in reference to the permit application. Excludes handgun carry permits that have been revoked.
TCA Sec. 10-07-0504

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.

SB 3752
HB 2718*
CRIMINAL LAW: Handgun carry permits: certified copy of birth certificate. Specifies that the requirement of a certified copy of a birth certificate for the issuance or renewal of a handgun carry permit.
TCA Secs. 39-17-1300; 39-17-1351

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee deferred to 03/03/2010.

SB 3753
HB 2719*
CRIMINAL LAW: Handgun carry permits: carry handgun through greenways. Authorizes a person with a handgun carry permit to carry a handgun on a greenway that runs through a park, even if a municipality has voted to prohibit firearms in the same park.
TCA Sec. 39-17-1311

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.

SB 3756
HB 2726*
CRIMINAL LAW: Handguns: allowed in college parking lot with carry permits. Establishes that persons with handgun carry permits may possess a handgun in their motor vehicle on a public college campus parking lot only if the handgun is stored out of sight and the vehicle is locked.
TCA Sec. 39-17-1309

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.

SB 3760
HB 2716*
CRIMINAL LAW: Handgun carry permits: evidence of valid renewals. Allows a canceled check to become evidence of a valid handgun carry permit renewal after the permit has expired.
TCA Sec. 39-17-1351

Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.

SB 3772
HB 2720*
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Alcohol-serving establishment: firearm sign removal. Removes the requirement that signs must be posted informing patrons that firearms are prohibited in alcohol-serving establishments.
TCA Sec. 57-04-0203

Senate Status: Referred to Senate State & Local Government.
House Status: Referred to House Local Government Subcommittee.

HB 0032*
CRIMINAL LAW: Crime-Free School Zone Act. Enacts the “Crime-Free School Zone Act.” Enhances penalties and fines for violent and certain other crimes committed within 1000 feet of any school, public or private, child care agency, public library, recreation center or park.
TCA Secs. 39-00-0000; 39-17-0432; 40-00-0000; 40-35-0100; 49-00-0000

House Status: House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee deferred to 03/03/2010.

SJR 0030
ENVIRONMENT & NATURE: Constitutional amendment - right to hunt and fish. Proposes an election of the people for the purpose of determining whether Article XI, Section 13 of the Constitution of Tennessee should be amended to establish the right to hunt and fish, subject to reasonable regulations and restrictions prescribed by law.

Senate Status: Senate 01/28/2010 adopted.
House Status: House Finance, Ways & Means 02/23/2010 recommended. Sent to House Calendar & Rules.

HJR 0149
ENVIRONMENT & NATURE: Constitutional amendment - right to hunt and fish. Adds provisions to the state constitution establishing the personal right to hunt and fish, subject to reasonable regulations and restrictions prescribed by law.

House Status: Taken off notice in House Finance Budget Subcommittee 02/17/2010.