Permitless Carry Bill Advances in House

Posted on May 27, 2020 by safetennesseeproject

As Tennessee continues to grapple with both the public health concerns around reopening the state and the devastating economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on families and businesses, the House Judiciary Committee voted to advance the controversial permitless carry bill (HB2817/SB2671) introduced earlier in the legislative session. Permitless carry would eliminate the requirement to obtain a background check and gun permit to carry handguns in public places, including in bars, restaurants, parks, playgrounds, on public transportation.

Tennessee lawmakers returning to Nashville to resume the 2020 legislative session are tasked with trying to make up a $1 billion budget shortfall. As amended, the permitless carry legislation, HB2817/SB2671, carries a staggering seven figure fiscal note, meaning passage of the bill could cost the state millions of dollars.

Since its introduction, permitless carry has faced vocal opposition from law enforcement and firearm instructors. Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings testified before the House Judiciary Committee, noting that the legislation “makes Memphis less safe and our police officers more vulnerable.” He also added, “More guns, I’ve never seen it equal less crime.”

Tennessee has one of the worst gun violence problems in the nation, with firearm mortality and firearm homicide rates far outpacing the national average.

11th for firearm mortality
6th for firearm homicide
4th for youth firearm mortality (ages 0-19)
3rd for youth firearm homicide (ages 0-19)

Over the last decade, Tennessee lawmakers have systematically loosened the state’s already lax gun laws. During that same time, gun violence in Tennessee has increased in every category.

Firearm mortality increased 15 percent
Firearm homicide increased 41 percent
Youth firearm mortality (ages 0-19) increased 102 percent
Youth firearm homicide (ages 0-19) increased 106 percent
Youth firearm suicide (ages 0-19 increased 127 percent

Tennessee is ranked 11th in the country for firearm mortality. Of the ten states with higher rates of gun death than Tennessee, six are permitless carry states.

The last decade has also seen an alarming increase in the number of gun permit revocations in Tennessee. According to data compiled and reported by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, since 2010, 3,215 Tennessee gun permits have been revoked.

Over half, 1,932, were revoked in the last two years.