The Tennessee Firearms Association has released a detailed analysis of Governor Bill Lee’s permitless carry law that is effective on July 1, 2021. TFA has recommended that most people get the Tennessee enhanced permit rather than rely on the Governor’s law which is only a qualified exception to a criminal charge. Further, TFA notes in its analysis that the Governor’s law creates unexpected traps for citizens who may think that they can generally carry a handgun in Tennessee under this new law because the law creates “traps” such as public parks and greenways where only those individuals who have handgun permits are allowed to go.
Some Legislators are releasing statements on social media and in public speaking that the 2021 law is “constitutional carry” when it simply does not meet that definition.
Some Legislators, including a few which have called the new law “constitutional carry” have also described this law, using different terms, as the most that they could get this year. An obvious question is why? Why was it with a Republican super majority and a Republican governor that this was all that could be achieved?
Some have indicated that it was because there were many, perhaps a third of the House Republicans, that would not support real constitutional carry. If so, it would be a great service to conservatives in Tennessee for those legislative insiders to name names – tell the voters which legislators would not support real constitutional carry so that the voters can try to change their minds or, if necessary, replace them. Right now, not a single legislator has been naming names.
Even without the names of those who would have blocked real constitutional carry, we do have the names of those who refused to support even the governor’s permitless carry exception. The negative votes by Democrats are no surprise although there are some Democrats like John Mark Windle who did and typically do vote for 2nd Amendment issues. The negative votes by Republicans – once you understand who they are – are no surprise either and perhaps they will see primary challengers to their re-election bids in 2022.
The big question remains and those inside the legislature likely know the answer – which other legislators, mainly those who identify as Republicans – are the reason why various leaders in the Legislature kept offering the excuse that real constitutional carry was simply unattainable this year. Who are these elected officials who would not stand true to support removing infringements on your rights?
Senators voting “No” on Senate Bill 765:
Raumesh Akbari – D
Richard Briggs – R
Heidi Campbell – D
Brenda Gilmore – D
Brian Kelsey – R
Sara Kyle – D
Becky Duncan Massey – R
Katrina Robinson – D
Jeff Yarbro – D
Ferrell Haile – R is not recorded with any vote
House members voting “No” on House Bill 786:
Bill Beck – D
Karen Camper – D
Jesse Chism – D
John Ray Clemmons – D
Barbara Cooper – D
Vincent Dixie – D
Bob Freeman – D
John Gillespie – R
Yusuf Hakeem – D
G. A. Hardaway – D
Torrey Harris – D
Patsy Hazlewood – R
Jason Hodges – D
Darren Jernigan – D
Gloria Johnson – D
London Lamar – D
Harold Love – D
Eddie Mannis – R
Sam McKenzie – D
Larry Miller – D
Bo Mitchell – D
Antonio Parkinson – D
Jason Potts – D
Jason Powell – D
Johnny Shaw – D
Mike Stewart – D
Dwayne Thompson – D
Mark White – R
Sam Whitson – R
The following were not recorded with a vote:
David Byrd – R (excused absence)
Mike Carter – R (excused absence)
Kelly Keisling – R (excused absence)
Brandon Ogles – R (excused absence)
Bob Ramsey – R
Joe Towns – D
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