AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, relative to firearms.
Summary
HB1392 would amend Tennessee’s firearms laws by deleting Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-1307(g) and conforming a related provision in § 39-17-1313(a). In practical terms, the bill removes a statutory subsection that currently authorizes certain lawful handgun carry under that subsection and eliminates a cross-reference to it in the law governing firearms-related offenses or restrictions. The bill is set to take effect July 1, 2025.
Because the bill is narrowly drafted, it does not create a new regulatory scheme so much as it repeals an existing handgun-carry provision and cleans up related statutory language. The main legal effect would be to change who may lawfully carry a handgun under the affected code sections and to remove any protections or exceptions tied specifically to § 39-17-1307(g).
Impact
HB1392 would directly amend Title 39 of the Tennessee Code, affecting the state’s firearms and handgun-carry statutes. By deleting subsection (g) of § 39-17-1307 and removing the corresponding reference in § 39-17-1313(a), the bill would alter the scope of lawful handgun carry and any related offense or exemption language tied to that subsection. The practical impact would fall on handgun carriers, law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts interpreting Tennessee’s carry and weapons laws.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill faced opposition in committee: it failed in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee by a 2-7 vote. No committee transcript is provided, so there is no recorded debate to indicate support arguments, but the vote outcome indicates the measure was not broadly favored at that stage. Overall, the sentiment appears negative or skeptical among the subcommittee members who voted.
Contention
The likely point of contention is the repeal of an existing lawful handgun-carry provision and the removal of a related statutory reference. Supporters would presumably view the bill as a cleanup or restriction on firearms carry, while opponents would likely object to narrowing lawful carry rights or eliminating an existing exception. The subcommittee vote shows the measure did not attract enough support, but the record provided does not identify specific speakers or detailed arguments.