SB 3157/HB 3637 Military Personnel Protection

[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 3157/HB 3637 Military Personnel Protection from our Tennessee State Liaison Darren La Sorte. If you have any questions, contact Darren directly at (703) 328-3454.

National Rifle Association of America

Fact Sheet

SB 3157/HB 3637 Military Personnel Protection

PURPOSE

To eliminate the statutory provision that prohibits a citizen who has voluntarily sought mental health treatment from obtaining a handgun carry permit.

BACKGROUND

Current Tennessee statute prohibits citizens who seek voluntary residential mental health treatment from ever obtaining a concealed
handgun permit. Only seven of the other 37 Right to Carry states that issue permits (Vermont does not require a permit) have similar voluntary treatment provisions. The other 30 states have not experienced any problems.

People often seek mental health treatment when they experience a
traumatic event in their lives (i.e. the death of a loved one, a serious physical illness etc.). Under current state law, they are forever prohibited from obtaining a concealed handgun permit in order to defend themselves and their families from violence. This is wrong.

The current prohibition has significant impact on U.S. Military personnel who have served our country in the Persian Gulf or other wars. Many return home in need of treatment for stress-related disorders. If they seek residential treatment, they are forever prohibited from obtaining a permit. It is wrong to deny these heroes who have served their country in war the ability to defend themselves and their family from violent criminals when they return home. Some military personnel who are educated to the prohibition may be discouraged from obtaining needed treatment. This chilling effect could have serious consequences for those in need of treatment.

This proposed change to law makes the Tennessee concealed handgun
permit law consistent with the laws of the other 30 Right to Carry states that do not disqualify applicants who received voluntary residential mental health treatment.

Significantly, the citizens from these 30 states are able to carry their concealed handguns in Tennessee when they visit under the "full recognition" law even if they have received voluntary mental health treatment in the past. There have been no problems. There is no reason not to provide Tennesseans with this same ability.

PROVISIONS

Specifies that only involuntary mental health treatment will result in a person being prohibited from obtaining a handgun carry permit in Tennessee.

[Todd.Scallions]

[Todd.Scallions]