NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today issued the following statement criticizing state lawmakers for passing House Bill 2586 out of the Civil Justice Subcommittee. House Bill 2586 was amended at the committee meeting to effectively create permitless carry in Tennessee by eliminating penalties associated with illegally carrying a gun in public without a permit, treating permitless carry of loaded handguns in the same manner as traffic citations.
STATEMENT FROM RACHEL KROMER, VOLUNTEER LEADER WITH THE TENESSEE CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Today Tennessee lawmakers voted to strip away the enforcement mechanism that prevents people with dangerous histories from carrying loaded handguns in public places. Given the recent tragedy in Parkland, Fla. last week, it is especially disgraceful that legislators advanced a bill that would impair the ability of law enforcement to prevent people from carrying firearms illegally and would make our communities less safe by allowing people who have not undergone a background check or received training to carry a firearm. Lawmakers advanced this dangerous legislation despite concerns from the governor’s office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Tennesseans across the state.”