NASHVILLE – Legislation allowing Tennessee’s nearly 269,000 handgun-carry permit holders to go armed in any establishment selling alcohol for on-premises consumption passed its first House hurdle today.
The five-member House Judiciary Criminal Practice and Procedure approved the bill on a voice vote with two members audibly opposing it.
House Bill 3125 allows establishment owners, if they desire, to post signs banning weapons that handgun-permit holders would have to obey. Those who carry weapons into such establishments risk losing their permit licenses if they consume alcohol.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Curry Todd, R-Collierville, is intended to void a Davidson County Chancery Court ruling that said similar legislation passed last year was unconstitutionally vague. That law was pegged to state alcohol licenses based on food sales.
In an effort to address the court’s concerns, the new bill is much broader and would also apply to establishments such as beer taverns.