Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Firearms Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Subcommittee advances bill to rename handgun permit and let permittees carry long guns; law-enforcement witnesses urge caution
Summary
House Bill 1189, which would expand a handgun permit into a firearms permit allowing permit holders to carry long guns, was advanced to full judiciary on a 4-3 vote after testimony from supporters and multiple law-enforcement witnesses who urged caution.
House Bill 1189, a measure to expand the current handgun permit into a firearms permit allowing permit holders to carry long guns, was advanced by the Civil Justice Subcommittee on a 4-3 vote after substantial witness testimony and debate.
Sponsor Representative Grylls described the bill as intended to "expand the handgun permit to a firearms permit so that the individual can carry a firearm," arguing it aligns state law with the sponsor’s interpretation of constitutional intent and the practices of other states. Richard Archie of the Tennessee Firearms Association testified in support, saying Tennessee historically allowed long-gun carriage and that the bill would restore those rights.
Multiple public-safety witnesses opposed the measure. Elizabeth Stroker, legislative director and assistant general counsel for the Department of Safety, said the department is opposed, raising concerns that allowing permittees to carry long rifles and high-capacity weapons in sensitive public spaces could provoke calls for law enforcement and create chaotic scenes. "It will cause chaos," she said, and warned of incidents with people carrying large rifles in front of schools, churches and other sensitive facilities.
Jimmy Musick, representing the Tennessee Sheriffs Association and the Tennessee Association Chiefs of Police, and Colonel Matt Perry of the Tennessee Highway Patrol echoed those concerns, saying the bill would create enforcement challenges and potential intimidation at polling places, schools and other locations. Testimony also included rural residents describing farm use of long guns. After debate the clerk reported the committee vote as four ayes and three noes and the bill was forwarded to full judiciary as amended.
Votes at a glance: House Bill 1189 — motion: send to full judiciary; outcome: approved; tally: 4 ayes, 3 noes.
The transcript includes multiple witness statements and detailed public-safety concerns; committee members questioned witnesses about precedent in other states and practical implications for law enforcement.
