The NRA Institute for Legislative Action has weighed in on several firearms-related bills being considered by various Tennessee General Assembly committees and subcommittees this week.
The Tennessee Star has previously reported that the Tennessee Firearms Association has weighed in on firearms-related legislation as well. The Tennessee Firearms Association and the NRA agree on opposition to two bills in particular.
HB1830 is sponsored by Representative London Lamar (D-Memphis) and is scheduled for consideration by the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. The legislation seeks to require the Tennessee Department of Health to issue an annual report on the “public health impacts of gun violence on local communities.”
The NRA-ILA has issued a statement opposing this legislation.
It encourages and funds anti-gun “public health” research. The legislation would also require the development of a firearm “buyback” program. First, these types of programs are not “buybacks,” as the government never owned these firearms, and thus cannot buy the gun back. These are properly understood as gun turn-in programs. This gun turn-in program is particularly pernicious, as it would require the destruction of the collected firearms rather than offer opportunities for these firearms to reenter the lawful stream of commerce. Research shows that these programs do not work and this has been understood for decades.
Further, this legislation would diminish patient privacy and harm the doctor-patient relationship. Your NRA-ILA opposes this type of state-encouraged intrusion into the doctor-patient relationship. Moreover, this type of measure poses privacy risks for gun owners. Given a doctor’s perceived authority, patients may not know that they have the right to refuse to answer questions regarding firearm ownership. Also, there have been circumstances where patients have been retaliated against for refusing to share personal firearm information.
The Tennessee Firearms Association also opposes this legislation and has issued a statement on it.
HB2087, sponsored by Representative Mark White (R-Memphis-HD83), is on the Wednesday, February 23, 2022 calendar for consideration by the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. The legislation would make it a criminal offense to store a firearm or ammunition in a personal vehicle or boat, “unless the firearm or firearm ammunition is kept from ordinary observation and locked within the trunk, utility or glove box, or a locked container securely affixed to the motor vehicle or boat.” The legislation also requires that the owner must report a theft within 24 hours of discovery.
Both the NRA-ILA and the Tennessee Firearms Association oppose this legislation.
The NRA and the TFA also agree on and support HB1898, sponsored by Representative Rusty Grills (R-Newbern). The legislation transforms existing concealed and enhanced carry permits to firearms permits, allowing the carry of shotguns, rifles, and other legally available guns. Currently, the permits only allow for the carry of handguns.
Action was deferred on HB1898 in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee to March 1, 2022.
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Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “NRA Institute for Legislative Action” by NRA Institute for Legislative Action.
