Tennessee Firearms Assoc. Inc.

The simple fix would be to delete the word "employee".

Elementary schools, Secondary schools, Universities, and Colleges also need to be added to this bill. Teachers, employees, and parents also need this protection when on school grounds.

I second what tdfirearms said about schools, teachers, employees, and parents.

Dennis Wood

TCA 39-17-1309
School Grounds

. It is not an offense under this subsection (c) for a nonstudent adult to possess a firearm, if the firearm is contained within a private vehicle operated by the adult and is not handled by the adult, or by any other person acting with the expressed or implied consent of the adult, while the vehicle is on school property.

This is from another post with a statement about schools from DOS:

by Tim Nunan » Thu Dec 09, 2010 5:25 pm

My wife teaches at Northeast State Community College and asked the chief of the campus police about this. He asked the TN DOS:

"If a person has a valid Tennessee Handgun carry permis is it legal to have a firearm on a public school campus (K-12 or college) if it is not handled and remains locked in a private vehicle at all times?

"I see the law states 'It is not an offense under this subsection (c) for a nonstudent adult to posses a firearm, if the firearm is contained within a private vehicle operated by the adult and is not handled by the adult, or by any other person acting with the expressed or implied consent of the adult, while the vehicle is on school property.'

"However does that cover a campus posted with the requied no weapons signage and does that law also protect employees of that school?"

Their response

"Dear Sir:

"Your email was forwarded to me for response.

"It is legal for a person who has a Tennessee Handgun carry permit and who is a nonstudent adult to have a firearm contained in a locked vehlcle and not handled by the adult by any other person acting with the expressed or implied consent of the adult, while the vehicle is on school property, unless the campus has otherwise posted a prohibition on the carrying of handguns pursuant to TCA 39-17-1359

"The law refers to nonstudent adults, which would include employees of schools.

"Sincerely,

"Lizabeth Hale
"Staff Attorney
"Tennessee Department of Safety"

The campus police chief stated this means that an employee can have the firearm in their vehicle unless the campus is posted properly just as any other business must do to preclude such action. My wife now leaves her firearm in the vehicle while she teaches.

I agree that this bill isn't perfect; aside from the two specifics noted about it also contains no language regarding any liability protection for employers (which I would think could be a major stumbling point in getting this bill passed).

I would also like to see this "parking lot issue" not just limited to employers/employees. If a business/person/entity maintains a parking lot for the benefit of employees, customers, the general public or all the above then the business/person/entity should not be able to exert control over what is or isn't in a vehicle parked there...I suppose said another way, the "rights" of he owners of a parking lot to control their property should stop at the door jam of my vehicle.

That said, I think we have to start with what is possible rather than wait for the perfect bill...this bill isn't perfect but I think it's worth supporting.

Senator Tim Barnes of the Clarksville area sponsored SB 1053, which is the companion Bill to the House version.

For those who want to modify the verbiage, now is the time to act.

I contacted my State Senator about this bill over the weekend and he replied that he would be supporting this bill. Anyone else heard of any movement on HB 0335/SB 1053?

Thanks in advance!