Bill Summary
Present law generally prohibits persons from carrying weapons with the intent to go armed, however, it is an exception to the general prohibition that:
(1) A person authorized with a valid handgun carry permit is transporting a rifle or shotgun in or on a privately-owned motor vehicle and the rifle or shotgun does not have ammunition in the chamber. Although, the person does not violate this exemption by inserting ammunition into the chamber if the ammunition is inserted for purposes of justifiable self-defense; or
(2) A person who does not have a handgun carry permit is transporting a rifle or shotgun in or on a privately-owned motor vehicle and the rifle or shotgun does not have ammunition in the chamber or cylinder, and no clip or magazine containing ammunition is inserted in the rifle or shotgun or is in close proximity to both the weapon and any person.
This bill replaces the exceptions described in (1) and (2) with a general exception to the prohibition against carrying a weapon with the intent to go armed so that a person carrying or possessing a firearm in a motor vehicle will not commit an offense if:
(1) The person is not otherwise prohibited from carrying or possessing a firearm; and
(2) The motor vehicle is privately-owned.
ON APRIL 9, 2014, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1774, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #1 revises this bill's exception to the present law prohibition against carrying a weapon with the intent to go armed so that a person carrying or possessing a firearm or firearm ammunition in a motor vehicle will not commit an offense if the person:
(1) Is not prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm by federal law or purchasing a firearm under state law; and
(2) Is in lawful possession of the motor vehicle.
Also, under this amendment, motor vehicles that are owned or leased by a governmental or private employer for the use of such employer's employees will not be covered by this bill's exception if the employer has adopted a written policy prohibiting firearms or ammunition not required for employment within their motor vehicles.
Not tooooo far from TN.