Fight Begins Over Whether To Fix ‘Guns In Trunks’ Law

Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey is trying to fend off a raft of bills that aim to fix the highly controversial guns in trunks law, which was opposed by the state’s largest employers. Credit: WPLN

Tennessee legislators are rushing to fix what’s seen as a problem with the so-called “guns in trunks” law passed last year. But the original sponsor of the law is trying to fend off any changes. 

Tennesseans with a handgun carry permit can now store a firearm in their car while at work. But according to the state’s Attorney General, they still could be fired if they’re breaking workplace rules.

Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey has been adamant that an employer could never get away with it. And he says it could be problematic if other legislators try to rewrite his law this year.

“The harm could be – if you think through legally – that if we decided we wanted to pass a bill to correct this, then in essence we’ve admitted there was a mistake.”

Ramsey has released a memo from two legislative attorneys who say licensed gun owners have nothing to worry about. He doesn’t put much stock in Attorney General Bob Cooper’s thoughts on this issue.

“It’s been tradition – I suppose – that an Attorney General’s opinion is law in this state, and it’s not.”