Handguns bill stalls in House subcommittee

On Tuesday, the subcommittee concluded that the measure died last session when it failed to receive a majority among panel members. A motion to reconsider the bill, which would have required a two-thirds vote of the committee, failed 3-3-1.

“This is a right-to-bear-arms issue that is very important to a lot of people across the state,” said Rep. Tre’ Hargett, R-Bartlett.

The bill proposed allowing those with handgun carry permits to bring their firearms into restaurants, bars, and other public places where alcohol is served, including speedways, sports stadiums, zoos, coin-operated laundries, bowling alleys and golf courses.

The bill would not allow the permit holders to drink alcoholic beverages while carrying a weapon. It would give businesses the option of banning handguns.

Hargett said none of the 150,000 Tennesseans who have concealed carry permits has been convicted of a felony related to their weapon since the law was passed 10 years ago.

“I’m more concerned about a gun sitting under a person’s car seat while someone’s inside that restaurant than I am somebody concealing that weapon while they’re having dinner,” Hargett said.

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On the Net:

Read HB1710 at Tennessee General Assembly: www.legislature.state.tn.us

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Information from: Chattanooga Times Free Press, http://www.timesfreepress.com