Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A bill reiterating and codifying the Second Amendment rights of Tennessee renters is set for a full Senate vote on Monday, February 2.
SB0350 by Sen. Bobby Harshbarger (R-Hawkins County-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.
These protections also extend to a tenant’s vehicle in their designated parking area 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’s fees.
Last week, during the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee hearing, Sen. Harshbarger further clarified that while the bill would explicitly prohibit lease terms restricting the Second Amendment rights of tenants in both residential and commercial leases, 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 schools.
“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,” Harshbarger told committee members. “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.”
The bill subsequently cleared the committee 8-1 along party lines and was advanced to the full Senate.
The House companion, HB0469 carried by Rep. Lee Reeves, was on the calendar for the House Business & Utilities Subcommittee for this week, but the meeting was canceled for inclement weather. It will likely be rescheduled when the legislature reconvenes next week.
To contact your Senator with thoughts on this bill, click this link to find their information.
See below for contact information for House Business & Utilities Subcommittee members.
Rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.john.ray.clemmons@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.mark.cochran@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.justin.lafferty@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.michael.lankford@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.kevin.vaughan@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.clark.boyd@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov; rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov; rep.john.ray.clemmons@capitol.tn.gov; rep.mark.cochran@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov; rep.justin.lafferty@capitol.tn.gov; Rep.michael.lankford@capitol.tn.gov; Rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov; rep.kevin.vaughan@capitol.tn.gov
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.
