Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A bill which ensures landlords cannot restrict the Second Amendment rights of tenants easily passed the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 20, and will now be scheduled for a full Senate vote.
SB0350, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Harshbarger (R-Hawkins & Sullivan Counties-District 4), states that a landlord shall not prohibit a tenant or tenant’s guest from “lawfully possessing, carrying, transporting, or storing a firearm, any part of a firearm, or firearm ammunition” in a tenant’s dwelling unit or premises.
Clarified in the amended version of the bill, the protections also extend to a tenant’s vehicle “located in a parking area provided for tenants or tenants’ guests by the landlord of the dwelling unit or premises” and to any other location controlled by the landlord as necessary to enter or exit the tenant’s residence or vehicle.
Additionally, if a landlord violates the provisions in the bill, an affected tenant will have the right to bring a suit against the landlord for actual damages, punitive damages, and recovery of attorney fees.
“This bill is designed to protect the fundamental rights of Tennessee renters. At its core, SB0350 is about ensuring that law-abiding tenants are not forced to surrender their Second Amendment rights simply because they choose to rent rather than own a home,” Sen. Harshbarger said during the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee hearing.
“Under current law, landlords have the ability to restrict firearm possession within rental properties, effectively creating a two-tiered system where homeowners retain their constitutional rights while renters do not. This bill corrects that imbalance by guaranteeing that tenants have the same rights to lawfully, keyword lawfully, carry, possess, and store firearms in their homes as any other citizen. This ability, to defend oneself and one’s family, is not a privilege of homeownership, it’s a basic, constitutionally protected right.”
Sen. Harshbarger further clarified that while the bill would explicitly prohibit lease terms or landlord rules that ban lawful firearms and ammunition, the provisions would not apply to any premises leased to a state agency or department, any facility that is contracted with the department of mental health and substance abuse services, and private and public schools and colleges.
The only pushback on the bill came from Democrat Sen. Raumesh Akbari who expressed displeasure that property owners who may have an apartment or dwelling to rent on the same property as their main residence who do not want any firearms on their property would not be allowed to place firearms restrictions on the tenants.
SB0350 passed the committee 8-1 along party lines with only Sen. Akbari voting “No”. Those voting “Yes” were Sens. Paul Bailey, Jack Johnson, Shane Reeves, Steve Southerland, Brent Taylor, Bo Watson, and Ken Yager.
The bill now awaits a date for consideration by the full Senate.
Its House companion, HB0469, is awaiting a date before the House Business and Utilities Subcommittee.
Should the legislation pass both chambers of the legislature, these protections would apply to leases entered, amended, extended, or renewed on or after July 1, 2026.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
