House Shoots Down Senate Bill To Allow Open Carrying Of Guns Without A License

“I was a marine sniper with two tours to Iraq, and I have a lot of weapons training,” Rep. Van Huss explains, “The Second Amendment is very close to my heart.” (Photo: Daniel Potter/WPLN)

A bill to let Tennesseans carry guns in the open without a permit was voted down Monday night in committee.  The House sponsor had been poised to try to circumvent the usual process of vetting bills, but now it seems that won’t be happening.

East Tennessee Republican Micah Van Huss said last week it felt like someone was trying to kill his bill.  After it passed the Senate, a price tag that would’ve sunk the proposal was added on.  Van Huss said it was bogus, and threatened an unusual procedure, invoking what’s called Rule 53, to push for a decisive vote.

Before that could happen though, a committee agreed to brush aside the price tag.  Members then heard arguments against the bill from the governor’s top safety official, and in the end voted 10 to 1 not to let Tennesseans openly carry guns without a permit.

VAN HUSS: “They killed the bill fair and square; the voice of the people was heard through that committee process, so I’m okay to withdraw Rule 53.”

Van Huss says the bill finally got a fair shake before it was voted down, so he won’t force the open carry issue any further this year.