Tennessee House Bill HB2689

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/24
• Refer: 2/5/24
• Refer: 4/2/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 54, relative to the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act.

Impact

The bill empowers individuals to pursue civil actions against government officials or entities that infringe upon their rights as stated. It establishes a liability framework that includes actual damages or statutory damages, punitive damages, and recovery of attorney's fees. This provision could potentially deter government entities from infringing upon rights recognized by the state and federal constitutions, thereby reinforcing the right to bear arms within Tennessee.

Summary

House Bill 2689 aims to revise the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act by explicitly stating that it is a violation of an individual's civil rights for any government entity or official to infringe on the exercise of rights protected under Article I, Section 26 of the Tennessee Constitution and the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. This legislative change intends to strengthen individual rights pertaining to firearms and ensure that any action taken against these rights is clearly defined and punishable.

Contention

One notable aspect of HB2689 is the potential for increased legal challenges against government officials and entities. Critics may argue that this bill could foster an environment ripe for frivolous lawsuits, while supporters assert that it is necessary to protect individual rights. Additionally, the inclusion of penalties for government officials may generate debate about the balance between enforcing lawful regulations and protecting civil liberties, thus stirring public and political discourse around the scope and limits of government authority in matters related to personal freedoms.