Democratic Rep. Mike Stewart, second from left, raises questions about a bill to allow people with handgun carry permits to store firearms in their vehicles no matter where they are parked during a House Civil Justice Committee meeting in Nashville on Wednesday. Others from left are Rep. Sherry Jones, a fellow Nashville Democrat, and Republican Reps. Andrew Farmer of Sevierville and Rick Womick of Murfreesboro. The panel later voted to advance the measure to a full floor vote.NASHVILLE – The guns-in-parking lots bill could be on the House floor for a final vote next week after zipping through a major House committee Tuesday.
House Civil Justice Committee members approved the bill on a voice vote. It allows handgun-carry permit holders to store loaded firearms in their vehicles on parking lots owned by businesses, schools, colleges, churches and most government agencies.
Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, the bill’s sponsor, and a legislative attorney say the bill still would allow employers to discipline or fire workers who violate company policy.
But customers, visitors and clients with carry permits would be allowed to keep firearms in their vehicles despite owners’ wishes. Tennessee has nearly 400,000 handgun-carry permit holders.
Airports, railroads or secure facilities like nuclear power plans, which are governed by federal law, still can ban guns from their property under the bill. And so can owners of single-family, detached homes.