Fairfax, Va. – The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) today applauded Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee for signing Senate Bill 765/House Bill 786 into law. This NRA-backed legislation fully recognizes the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners to carry a firearm without government red tape or delays.
“This bill is a great step forward in the advancement of self-defense rights and Second Amendment freedoms for all Tennessee gun owners,” said NRA-ILA Executive Director Jason Ouimet. “It simply means law-abiding Tennessean’s no longer have to pay a tax to exercise the right of self-protection.”
The legislation does not affect previously issued carry permits and allows citizens who still wish to obtain a permit in order to carry in states recognizing Tennessee permits to do so. It also does not change prohibited places where a firearm cannot be carried, or when force may be used in defense of self or others.
“Constitutional carry ensures a barrier-free commitment to Second Amendment rights and is core to a strong public safety agenda,” said Gov. Lee. “Tennessee finally joins 19 other states in siding with law-abiding, responsible gun owners and I commend both the NRA and members of the General Assembly for making it happen.”
Tennessee becomes the 20th state, including Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming, to allow law-abiding individuals to carry a concealed handgun without a government-issued permit.
NRA members and Tennessee’s law-abiding gun owners thank Gov. Lee, Rep. William Lamberth, and Sen. Mike Bell, for their hard work and leadership on this vital piece of self-defense legislation.
The bill officially becomes law on July 1, 2021.