NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 7, 2017) – A Republican-dominated Tennessee House subcommittee killed a bill that would have legalized the open carry of firearms without a permit by law-abiding citizens last week.
House Bill 40 (HB40) was introduced by Rep. Micah Van Huss (R-Jonesborough), along with 15 co-sponsors. The legislation would have expanded gun rights for residents of the Volunteer State, chipping away at current regulations on the books pertaining to firearm permits.
The bill would have legalized open carry of firearms without a permit by removing “restrictions that exist in violation of the State constitutional limits imposed by the people of this State on the State of Tennessee, which require that any government regulation on the wearing of arms must be based on reasonable and objective determinations that such restrictions are necessary to reduce crime.”
The legislation failed in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee by a voice vote with only Rep. Mike Carter (R-Ooltewah) and Rep. Debra Moody (R-Covington) requesting to be put on the record as supporters of HB40.
While passage of the measure may not have impacted federal law directly, it would have helped to foster an environment hostile to federal gun control.
CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY
While constitutional carry bills do not directly affect federal gun control, widespread passage of permitless conceal carry laws in states subtly undermines federal efforts to regulate guns. As we’ve seen with marijuana and industrial hemp, a federal regulation becomes ineffective when states ignore it and pass laws encouraging the prohibited activity anyway. The federal government lacks the enforcement power necessary to maintain its ban, and people will willingly take on the small risk of federal sanctions if they know the state will not interfere. This increases when the state actively encourages “the market.”
Less restrictive state gun laws will likely have a similar impact on federal gun laws. It will make it that much more difficult for the feds to enforce any future federal gun control, and increase the likelihood that states with few limits will simply refuse to cooperate with federal enforcement efforts.
State actions like HB40 would lower barriers for those wanting to the option of defending themselves with firearms and encourages a “gun-friendly” environment that would make federal efforts to limit firearms that much more difficult.
“Constitutional carry is a big step toward being able to exercise a natural right that has been infringed at all levels for far too long,” ShallNot.org campaign lead Scott Landreth said.
