Bill Would Prevent Federal Government from Regulating Guns

[Pat McGarrity]

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Bill Would Prevent Federal Government from Regulating Firearms in TN - John Dunn

Tennessee lawmakers may soon send the federal government a loud message; hands off our guns.

A new law is under consideration that would say if firearms are manufactured and sold inside the state of Tennessee, federal gun law would not apply.

Visit any gun store right now, and you'll hear the same story.

Gun buyers are stocking up on weapons, and ammunition is in short supply.

"It is a very significant fear for a lot of Tennesseans," says John Harris, Executive Director of the Tennessee Firearms Association

Harris says gun owners are worried. They believe the Federal government may soon restrict certain weapons.

"But it's our way to make a statement to say this is Tennessee. These our are guns," says Rep. Henry Fincher, (D) Cookeville.

Now, lawmakers have proposed a new bill called the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act.

It basically exempts guns made and sold in Tennessee from federal regulation, because they never cross the state line.

"If these firearms are meant to be used just here in Tennessee, they're not properly regulated by the federal government because they are not in interstate commerce," says Rep. Fincher.

"Your state, and I suspect every state, will be rushing to try to do something to preserve the rights of their people," says Ronnie Barrett with Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc.

The rifles made by Barrett Firearms are impressive.

They're also made right here in Middle Tennessee, which means this proposed law applies to their weapons.

"And this is a great move to say that the state has rights, and the first thing they're going for is to protect their firearms," says Barrett.

Similar legislation is pending in several other states. Montana's Governor has even signed a like minded-law.

So far opposition has been quiet in Tennessee, where lawmakers have been dealing with a number of gun related bills.

"Bottom line...safety. I think if there's a gun being manufactured in Tennessee, as long as it's a safe gun I have no problem with it," says Sen. Beverly Marrero, (D) Memphis.

But if the law passes, it will put the state at odds with the federal government, and set the stage for a showdown over guns.

Both the House and Senate versions of this bill will be up for a committee vote tomorrow.

Many believe this issue may ultimately be settled by the United State Supreme Court.Bill Would Prevent Federal Government from Regulating Firearms in TN - John Dunn