SB 2946/HB 3300; Employee Protection Act

[Tim Nunan]

The NRA has found some proposed Tennessee bills it likes. As an EVC I received this information.
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The following is the latest legislative fact sheet regarding SB 2946/HB 3300; Employee Protection Act, from our Tennessee State Liaison Darren La Sorte. If you have any questions, please contact Darren directly at (703) 328-3454.

National Rifle Association of America

Fact Sheet

SB 2946/HB 3300; Employee Protection Act

PURPOSE

To ensure that employees are able to protect themselves from violence as they travel to and from work by allowing them to store their firearms in their vehicles while at work. SB 2945/HB 3300 also prohibits any operator or owner of any parking lot from baring firearms in private vehicles, with certain exceptions.

BACKGROUND

Contrary to those who claim this legislation violates private property rights, it strikes a balance between the rights of parking lot owners and the rights of the state's law-abiding gun owners. This is especially true with regard to employees who park on property controlled by their employers. Employers are prohibited from denying employees the ability to store firearms in their vehicles while at work. This ensures that employees are able to exercise their right to self-defense while traveling to and from work, a time when working Tennesseans conduct most of their activities away from home. Employers retain the ability to regulate the carrying of firearms by employees while they are acting in the course of employment, outside of their private vehicles.

This protection also applies to sportsmen who may have their hunting equipment in their vehicles so they are able to make the most of the limited time before and after work. Employers do not pay employees for this time. If employees are injured in an accident during this time, they are not responsible. However, by prohibiting firearms in their parking lots, employers have a dramatic effect on the lives of their employees during this time that they otherwise claim no responsibility for.

PROVISIONS

Prohibits any person, including employers, from prohibiting the storage of firearms in private vehicles parked in parking lots.

Specifies that employers, as a condition of employment, may not prohibit firearms in private vehicles in their parking lots unless they provide convenient, secure storage on the property.

Authorizes firearms to be removed from vehicles for self-defense and other reasons as determined by the person who owns or controls the parking lot.

Specifies that violators of these statutory provisions are civilly liable for actual damages and statutory damages of $100 per day per violation. They are also responsible for any reasonable attorney's fees and court costs.

Requires employers who take adverse action against an employee who is compliance with the law to pay back pay, front pay and attorney's
fees.

Exempts property owned by the United States government that is posted to prohibit firearms and any parking lots in Tennessee where firearms possession is specifically prohibited by state statute.

[2guntom]

[Todd.Scallions]

[2guntom]