Tennessee Legislature makes major moves to get rid of gun-free zones at public universities and businesses

Tennessee Legislature makes major moves to get rid of gun-free zones at public universities and businesses April 29, 2016

In the wake of mass killings like those in Sandy Hook and San Bernadino and with the rising global threat from ISIS and terrorist organizations, one state is taking action to ensure that their citizens are equipped to protect themselves.

The Tennessee legislature just passed three bills that abolish gun free zones at public colleges and provide immunity to businesses that do not post signage about bans on permitted concealed handguns.

The gun-free zones at public universities allows “full-time employees of state public colleges or universities to carry a handgun while on property owned, operated, or used by the employing college or university if the employee has a valid Tennessee handgun carry permit.”  This bill passed by a 28 to 5 vote in the state Senate and 69 to 24 in the state House.  Republican Gov. Bill Haslam might veto the bill because it didn’t give the institutions the power to opt out, but with a 85 to 15 percent vote in the Senate and a 74 to 26 percent in the House, there are more than enough votes to over ride a veto.  It was the Senate version of the bill that was passed.

The other bill “provides immunity to the business/entity if the business doesn’t post” signs banning permitted concealed handguns.  This bill passed by a 26 to 4 vote in the state Senate and by 77 to 12 in the state House.  The governor hasn’t spoken out on this bill, but even if he were to veto it, it looks as if it would be easy to override the veto.

A third bill by state Senator Kelsey “prohibits public postsecondary institutions from taking any adverse action against an employee or student as a result of such person’s lawful transportation and storage of a firearm or ammunition in the person’s parked motor vehicle.”  The bill passed the state Senate by a 30-to-1 vote and the state House by a 69-to-17 vote.  This is the one bill that was already signed by the governor. …

Taken together these three bills will make a major difference in eliminating gun-free zones in the state.  Tennessee will be the 13th state that is ending gun-free zones on college campuses.  The immunity bill appears to be the first one in the country.

Tennesseans seem to understand what the Obama Administration and the gun-control lobby does not.  The best way to keep Americans safe is to protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.

In order to get a concealed handgun permit in most states like Tennessee, citizens take classes about gun laws and safety, while also showing a proficiency in the ability to use the gun safely and effectively. Organizations like the NRA and others create the curriculum so that more Americans know about their legal rights and are equipped to keep their friends, families, and communities safe.

Good for the elected representatives of Tennessee for standing up for the Constitution and the God-given right for citizens to defend their own communities.


Browse Our Archives

Follow Us!