Change To Tennessee’s Carry Law Being Debated

A new bill that is being debated on Capitol Hill in Nashville would change a word in the current law regarding carrying a gun in the state. The proposed law would change the wording in current law from stating that a person can openly carry a handgun in the state to openly carry a “firearm”. Critics say that opens up a whole new meaning in the law which could lead to open carry of rifles or shotguns in the state. Democrats of course are against this proposed change to current law, but they are also being joined in their opposition from some republicans.

House majority leader William Lamberth says he trusts law abiding citizens in the state to possess and carry a firearm, whatever type they choose. House Speaker Cameron Sexton added that “Other states have constitutional open carry wide open, and in those states you haven’t really seen a problem.” He did add he understand the concern with this proposed change as its never been tried in Tennessee.

On the other end of things, House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons of Nashville had one word for the proposal…he just simply called it “NUTS”.