NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A bill that would have effectively let some people bring guns into places where guns are prohibited, as long as they had a concealed carry permit, failed in a Senate committee on March 26.
SB 2180 would have required those people, if asked to leave, to at least take their guns out of the building or else face a criminal trespassing charge. They also would not have faced penalties for violating postings that prohibit guns from the area.
The bill failed in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 26.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spoke on the bill during a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Both said they had safety concerns.
During the meeting, the department said the bill may have effectively protected people who bring guns into areas like Department of Children's Services offices, jails or driver's license centers. The department also said it was concerned people at businesses that prohibit guns may need to confront armed people themselves.
If armed people didn't leave the business, or take their guns outside, then the business would need to wait for law enforcement to arrive.
Republican lawmakers said they were worried making people leave guns in their cars may increase the chance they are stolen.
"I think most people who are concealed probably ignore the sign, and I think 100% of criminals ignore the sign," said Sen. Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield). "What I'm really getting at is this, which is a bigger issue — someone to leave their gun in a car for it to be potentially stolen, or to bring it with them?"
THP said during the Senate Judiciary Committee meeting that it was not immediately aware of anyone charged with violating postings that prohibit guns in businesses.
"If we think posting a sign is going to keep bad people out of the business, we're just wrong about that. This bill is meant to protect the innocent, the permit holders," said Sen. Joey Hensley (R -Hohenwald), who sponsored the bill.
The bill did not get a fifth vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 26. The House version, HB 1904, was set to be discussed in the Civil Justice Subcommittee on April 2.
