Member of the Tennessee General Assembly voted 64-29 to advance the “Constitutional Carry” bill. Proposed by Governor Bill Lee, the bill would allow the majority of adults to carry a handgun without a permit. From this point on, Lee can sign the bill into law.
If signed into law, “Constitutional Carry” would go into effect in July. Tennesseeans over the age of 21 will be able to carry open and concealed handguns. Military members as young as 18 will also fall under this legislation. However, Tennesseeans will not be able to carry long guns under this bill.
“This bill is not the end of the journey,” Tennessee House Majority Leader William Lamberth said.
“This is a massive step forward for freedom.”
Tennessee is one of 20 states to feature some version of permitless carry legislation. This change comes as the country endures several mass shootings. In Georgia, Aaron Long shot eight people on March 16. Six days later, ten people were shot and killed at a local grocery store in Boulder, Colorado. Not to mention, two people were killed and many more were injured in multiple shootings in Virginia Beach.
Despite these recent events, state legislators continue to push for more relaxed gun restrictions. Still, Democratic lawmakers in the area are looking to push back.
“It seems that more is never enough when it comes to gun laws in this state,” Rep. Larry Miller said.
