Recently, the House Criminal Justice Committee passed HB 18 and HB 786 — two bills that would make Tennessee a Constitutional Carry state. These bills are now both in the Finance committee, but only HB 786 has a calendar date to be voted on. 

While both of these two bills are a type of Constitutional Carry, HB 18 is a much better bill that should be the priority. 

Under House Bill 786, a Tennessean will be able to conceal carry without having to beg the government for a permit, as long as they are legally in possession of the firearm, AND would qualify for an Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit. This means people would still have to undergo the training that the Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit requires. However, under House Bill 18, a Tennessean would legally be able to open or conceal carry as long as they are legally in possession of the weapon. HB 18 does NOT require extra training. 

Eighteen other states currently recognize that Americans have the right to carry a gun for self-defense without first jumping through additional hoops or getting the government’s permission to exercise their constitutional rights.  These states, not coincidentally, are among the safest in the country. 

It’s well past time that Tennessee joined these states and repealed the unreasonable and unconstitutional limits on its citizens’ exercise of their Second Amendment rights.       

Please urge the House Finance Committee to support HB 18 instead of HB 786.