Bill would restrict permitless carry in some TN counties
by: Zaneta Lowe
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The senseless gun violence plaguing our neighborhoods is exactly why one state lawmaker wants to give local governments the power to essentially roll back the state’s permitless carry law.
Senator London Lamar (D-Memphis) recently introduced Senate Bill 1686.
It would allow county legislative bodies to pass a resolution to not allow people to carry handguns without a permit.
The senator, who is a gun owner herself, says she fully supports the Second Amendment. “I took it upon myself to get educated, to know the laws, take the classes,” said Lamar.
While permitless carry may work in some communities in Tennessee, she says Memphis needs stricter gun laws right now.
“My colleagues on the other side of the aisle know how dangerous it is for Memphis to have permitless carry,” Lamar said. “I just think they don’t care. Instead, the only thing they can propose is being tough on crime, and they neglect to do preventative aspects to prevent crime in the first place.”
Permitless carry went into effect in 2021.
Lamar’s bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“We do need to give local government bodies autonomy to protect themselves and their citizens,” she said.
The House version is headed to a subcommittee.
A similar bill to restrict permitless carry in Nashville and Memphis failed last year.
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