State House members approve guns in trunks bill
Legislation now goes to Gov. Bill Haslam
Legislation that would allow handgun permit holders to keep guns locked in their vehicles is one step away from becoming law in Tennessee, as it cleared a vote in the state House of Representatives Thursday.
House members voted 72-22 to approve the bill, which now goes to the desk of Gov. Bill Haslam. Recently, various reports have quoted the governor saying he would "likely" sign the bill into law when it arrives.
Republicans from the Chattanooga area unanimously supported the bill. Aye votes were cast by Reps. Gerald McCormick, Mike Carter, Vince Dean and Richard Floyd.
Rep. JoAnne Favors, the lone Democratic House members from the area, opposed the legislation.
Last month, members of the state Senate approved the measure in a 28-5 vote. Both Sens. Bo Watson and Todd Gardenhire voted in favor of the legislation.
If signed into law, the legislation will enable valid handgun permit holders to bring their guns to work, as long as they are kept safely stored in their own vehicles. Approximately 371,800 Tennesseans hold valid handgun carry permits.
According to a Knoxville News Sentinel report, 13 attempts to change provisions of the bill were denied in the House. McCormick worked as a "point man" to kill the various amendments, the report said.
