Tennessee House Bill HB2752

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/24
• Refer: 2/5/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 10; Title 33; Title 36; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 50 and Title 70, relative to firearms.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would significantly reshape state firearm laws by prohibiting public offices and employees within Tennessee from enforcing federal firearm regulations. Specifically, it would create civil liabilities for individuals and entities that do not comply with its provisions, particularly concerning the enforcement of federal laws. Thus, there is a potential for conflict between state and federal laws, especially regarding gun control measures and regulations previously accepted at the federal level.

Summary

House Bill 2752, also known as 'The Second Amendment Protection Act of 2024', aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated concerning firearms. The bill primarily seeks to assert the authority of the state over possible federal constraints on the rights of individuals to manufacture, own, and use firearms within Tennessee borders. It stipulates that public funds cannot be spent on the implementation, enforcement, or regulation of federal laws or international treaties concerning firearms, asserting strong state sovereignty over this aspect of the law.

Contention

The bill has already sparked debates around the interpretation of the Second Amendment and the balance of power between state and federal governments. Supporters argue that it protects individual rights and state autonomy, asserting that the federal government should not impose regulations that infringe on citizens' rights to bear arms. Critics, however, may view this as an extreme measure that undermines the ability to enforce responsible gun ownership and could exacerbate gun violence or illegal activities by complicating the legal landscape in which firearm regulations operate.