Tennessee Passes Guns in Bars Law
Law Allows Concealed Weapons in Establishments that Serve Alcohol
The state House voted 69-27 June 3 to override a veto by Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) of a bill [HB962] allowing those who have handgun carry permits to take their weapons into establishments serving alcohol. The Senate followed suit on June 4 with a 21-9 vote to override. The law takes effect July 14.
Governor Says Guns in Bars Bill “Crosses the Line of Reason”
Law enforcement officials and district attorneys from across the state flanked Bredesen May 28 when he vetoed the bill.
"Let me be very clear: I am a strong supporter of the right to keep and bear arms," Bredesen said at the veto signing. “However, these rights, for more than two centuries, have come with reasonable and necessary rules and guidelines. This bill crosses the line of reason.”
Bredesen said that government needed to strike a balance between Second Amendment rights and public safety. “Guns and bars simply don't mix.”
Legislators easily overrode the veto.
Concealed Carry Veto "A Slap in the Face"
“Gov. Bredesen’s veto is a rejection of the desires of most Tennesseans and an overwhelming and bipartisan majority of legislators,” Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Robin Smith said in a statement after the veto. “It is a slap in the face to law-abiding citizens across the Volunteer State who have carry permits.”
The bill allows concealed carry permit holders from Tennessee or other states to carry their weapons into establishments that serve alcohol as long as the permit holder does not drink. Individual bars or restaurants can also refuse to allow weapons by posting “No Weapons” signage.
Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin, who attended the veto ceremony, told the Memphis Commercial Appeal that the eight-hour training course required for a carry permit is "not enough," and that the permit process allows an applicant to declare his own "mental state," with no independent psychological review.
Godwin was quoted as saying the bill will "put officers and citizens in jeopardy of bad things happening.”
Other Second Amendment Bills Sail Through Tennessee Legislature
The Tennessee Legislature, where Republicans now hold a majority for the first time in more than 60 years, has also passed or is expected to pass bills that would:
- Allow concealed weapons to be carried into state and local parks and playgrounds [HB716];
- Close now-public records of who has concealed carry permits;
- Exempt weapons made and sold in the state from federal regulations, the so-called Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act.
Regarding the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act, Senate Judiciary Chairman Mae Beavers said “enough is enough” on federal regulation of intrastate commerce. “Our founders fought too hard to ensure states’ sovereignty and I am sick and tired of activist federal officials and judges sticking their noses where they don’t belong.”
Tennessee Approves Guns in Bars
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