Tennessee bill would repeal restrictions on carrying firearms in public parks, playgrounds
JACKSON, Tenn. — State lawmakers are weighing a proposal that would roll back existing restrictions on carrying firearms and other weapons in certain public spaces.
House Bill 2064 was presented during the criminal justice subcommittee Wednesday. The bill is sponsored by state Rep. Chris Todd.
What the bill would do
As introduced, the bill repeals “the criminal offenses of unlawfully carrying a firearm or club with the intent to go armed and carrying or possessing a weapon in or on public parks, playgrounds, civic centers, and other public recreational buildings and grounds.”
If fully passed, it would no longer be a crime to carry a gun or club with the intent to go armed. It would also allow people to bring weapons into public parks, playgrounds, and other recreation areas.
Todd said the bill has been in the works and is intended to protect Tennesseans’ civil rights.
“This bill is meant to protect people’s liberties and their freedoms especially their civil rights and this is what this centers around — a civil right,” Todd said.
Opposition and concerns
Rachel Russell, deputy general counsel for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, has been working with Todd on drafting the legislation but raised concerns about public safety.
“Our belief that it creates a dangerous situation for the communities across our state. That is not just for the individuals who are carrying those firearms also those individuals that encounter those people and additionally law enforcement officers who have to respond in those situations,” Russell said.
Rep. Jason Powell also opposed the bill, saying he believes it will lead to more deaths.
“This situation is going to cost more Tennesseans their life. It’s going to put more people in danger,” Powell said.
The bill passed the criminal justice subcommittee with a vote of 7-2. It will now move to the full judiciary committee.
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