With the National Rifle Association bringing 75,000 people to Nashville for its April 10-12 convention, the timing is seemingly right for the General Assembly to impress by passing a bevy of gun bills.
But so far this session, passing firearms-related legislation has been like putting the wrong size bullets in a pistol. Even if it fires the first time, it’s probably going to jam on the second round.
That’s despite Republican supermajorities in the House and Senate, which would seemingly prove more fertile ground for wide-open gun laws.
Rep. Micah Van Huss’s measure allowing people to openly carry guns without a handgun carry permit failed recently on a House subcommittee voice vote.
Van Huss, a Jonesborough Republican, contends Tennessee’s gun laws infringe on Second Amendment rights and people need the “open carry” law “to protect themselves from evil folks.” (continue reading)