TN Meat and Potatoes Gun Reforms

[Guest 270win]

How can we get some real gun reforms in Tennessee?  Things I would like to see are:

 

1.  Remove fine from 39-17-1359 for those who leave when asked (ideally I would get rid of the whole statute).

2.  Statewide pre emption for all local parks for people with permits.

3.  Create an exemption to the school ban for those with permits.

 

 

With a republican super majority and republican governor who can put the pressure on the politicians to change these laws in our favor?

 

Lesser reforms would be:

1. Parking Lot Bill

2.  Legalize loaded carry of a handgun in a car without a permit.

 

 

Will the NRA and TFA push for the better reforms so that those of us with a permit are protected by the law instead of have to worry about walking on school property or past some dumb sign?

 

[JayC]

One small problem, Speaker Beth Harwell(RINO) is trying to keep all 2nd amendment laws from coming to the floor for a vote.

[MacGyver]

I've got a great idea for reform.

Next time an election rolls around, maybe someone can actually challenge her in the primary. Heck, I'd have voted for a democrat on Election Day, but she ran completely unopposed.

[Guest semiautots]

How about no TICS for permit holders?

[tennessee01tacoma]

It would never happen but it would be awesome if Tn could get suppressors off the nfa

[East_TN_Patriot]

Maybe some TGO members need to run for state office.

[Volzfan]

I would encourage everyone to get personally involved in the TFA and help make the changes come about! The RINOS have seen what can happen (Maggart) if these TFA and NRA set their sights on them. The bigger the membership, the better the results. The TFA does a lot more for us locally than the NRA but I believe that membership in both would be best! Don't wait for them to fight our fights!

[Guest pfries]

It would never happen but it would be awesome if Tn could get suppressors off the nfa

 

Time to do some reading

 

4-54-102. Constitutional authority.

The general assembly declares that the authority for this chapter is the following:

(1) The tenth amendment to the United States constitution guarantees to the states and their people all powers not granted to the federal government elsewhere in the constitution and reserves to the state and people of this state certain powers as they were understood at the time that this state was admitted to statehood. The guarantee of those powers is a matter of contract between the state and people of this state and the United States as of the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by this state and the United States;

(2) The ninth amendment to the United States constitution guarantees to the people rights not granted in the constitution and reserves to the people of this state certain rights as they were understood at the time that this state was admitted to statehood. The guarantee of those rights is a matter of contract between the state and people of this state and the United States as of the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by this state and the United States;

(3) The regulation of intrastate commerce is vested in the states under the ninth and tenth amendments to the United States constitution, particularly if not expressly preempted by federal law. Congress has not expressly preempted state regulation of intrastate commerce pertaining to the manufacture on an intrastate basis of firearms, firearms accessories and ammunition;

(4) The second amendment to the United States constitution reserves to the people the right to keep and bear arms as that right was understood at the time that this state was admitted to statehood, and the guarantee of the right is a matter of contract between the state and people of this state and the United States as of the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by this state and the United States; and

(5) The Tennessee constitution clearly secures to Tennessee citizens, and prohibits government interference with, the right of individual Tennessee citizens to keep and bear arms.

HISTORY: Acts 2009, ch. 435, § 3. <!-- function dotocseg() { if(!pToc || pToc.isUnreal){ pToc = new ettocObject(false); } pToc.tocseg(0,0,0,'Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-54-102'); } //-->


Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-54-102
 

4-54-103. Chapter definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Firearms accessories" means items that are used in conjunction with or mounted upon a firearm but are not essential to the basic function of a firearm, including, but not limited to, telescopic or laser sights, magazines, flash or sound suppressors, folding or aftermarket stocks and grips, speedloaders, ammunition carriers and lights for target illumination;

(2) "Generic and insignificant parts" includes, but is not limited to, springs, screws, nuts and pins; and

(3) "Manufactured" means creating a firearm, a firearm accessory or ammunition from basic materials for functional usefulness, including, but not limited to, forging, casting, machining or other processes for working materials.

HISTORY: Acts 2009, ch. 435, § 4. <!-- function dotocseg() { if(!pToc || pToc.isUnreal){ pToc = new ettocObject(false); } pToc.tocseg(0,0,0,'Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-54-103'); } //-->


Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-54-103
 

4-54-104. Firearms, firearm accessories and ammunition manufactured in this state not subject to federal regulation under interstate commerce clause.

A personal firearm, a firearm accessory or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in this state and that remains within the borders of this state is not subject to federal law or federal regulation, including registration, under the authority of congress to regulate interstate commerce. It is declared by the legislature that those items have not traveled in interstate commerce. This section applies to a firearm, a firearm accessory or ammunition that is manufactured in this state from basic materials and that can be manufactured without the inclusion of any significant parts imported into this state. Generic and insignificant parts that have other manufacturing or consumer product applications are not firearms, firearms accessories or ammunition, and their importation into this state and incorporation into a firearm, a firearm accessory or ammunition manufactured in this state does not subject the firearm, firearm accessory or ammunition to federal regulation. It is declared by the legislature that basic materials, such as unmachined steel and unshaped wood, are not firearms, firearms accessories or ammunition and are not subject to congressional authority to regulate firearms, firearms accessories and ammunition under interstate commerce as if they were actually firearms, firearms accessories or ammunition. The authority of congress to regulate interstate commerce in basic materials does not include authority to regulate firearms, firearms accessories and ammunition made in this state from those materials. Firearms accessories that are imported into this state from another state and that are subject to federal regulation as being in interstate commerce do not subject a firearm to federal regulation under interstate commerce because they are attached to or used in conjunction with a firearm in this state.

HISTORY: Acts 2009, ch. 435, § 5.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-54-104
 

4-54-106. Firearm must be clearly stamped with words "Made in Tennessee".

A firearm manufactured or sold in this state under this chapter must have the words "Made in Tennessee" clearly stamped on a central metallic part, such as the receiver or frame.

HISTORY: Acts 2009, ch. 435, § 7

Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-54-106
 

[Guest cardcutter]

I think the NRA might be a little too busy with the national crazieness going on right now to help us much on a state level.

[Worriedman]

I've got a great idea for reform.

Next time an election rolls around, maybe someone can actually challenge her in the primary. Heck, I'd have voted for a democrat on Election Day, but she ran completely unopposed.

That person best be ready to have the full weight of the Republican machine brought to bear within hours of pulling the petition to run.  If their employer is the skittish type, every fear factor that can be brought to bear will be.  Throngs of investigators would be tearing through the candidates life, and that of his family and friends.

 

We are not in Kansas anymore, the seats of power deal with massive amounts of money, the freshman representative does not have a place at the trough, the paycheck is not enough to allow a normal person to survive, have to have other means of succor to survive.  It is an exclusive club these days.

[JayC]

It's a very small district, and even smaller now...  A large chunk of Bellevue got moved to a different district in this election.

 

 

I've got a great idea for reform.

Next time an election rolls around, maybe someone can actually challenge her in the primary. Heck, I'd have voted for a democrat on Election Day, but she ran completely unopposed.

 

 

[MacGyver]

That person best be ready to have the full weight of the Republican machine brought to bear within hours of pulling the petition to run.  If their employer is the skittish type, every fear factor that can be brought to bear will be.  Throngs of investigators would be tearing through the candidates life, and that of his family and friends.

 

We are not in Kansas anymore, the seats of power deal with massive amounts of money, the freshman representative does not have a place at the trough, the paycheck is not enough to allow a normal person to survive, have to have other means of succor to survive.  It is an exclusive club these days.

And thus the very reason that 'we the people' should be seriously offended by this...

[tennessee01tacoma]

Time to do some reading

 

4-54-102. Constitutional authority.

The general assembly declares that the authority for this chapter is the following:

(1) The tenth amendment to the United States constitution guarantees to the states and their people all powers not granted to the federal government elsewhere in the constitution and reserves to the state and people of this state certain powers as they were understood at the time that this state was admitted to statehood. The guarantee of those powers is a matter of contract between the state and people of this state and the United States as of the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by this state and the United States;

(2) The ninth amendment to the United States constitution guarantees to the people rights not granted in the constitution and reserves to the people of this state certain rights as they were understood at the time that this state was admitted to statehood. The guarantee of those rights is a matter of contract between the state and people of this state and the United States as of the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by this state and the United States;

(3) The regulation of intrastate commerce is vested in the states under the ninth and tenth amendments to the United States constitution, particularly if not expressly preempted by federal law. Congress has not expressly preempted state regulation of intrastate commerce pertaining to the manufacture on an intrastate basis of firearms, firearms accessories and ammunition;

(4) The second amendment to the United States constitution reserves to the people the right to keep and bear arms as that right was understood at the time that this state was admitted to statehood, and the guarantee of the right is a matter of contract between the state and people of this state and the United States as of the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by this state and the United States; and

(5) The Tennessee constitution clearly secures to Tennessee citizens, and prohibits government interference with, the right of individual Tennessee citizens to keep and bear arms.

HISTORY: Acts 2009, ch. 435, § 3. <!-- function dotocseg() { if(!pToc || pToc.isUnreal){ pToc = new ettocObject(false); } pToc.tocseg(0,0,0,'Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-54-102'); } //-->


Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-54-102
 

4-54-103. Chapter definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Firearms accessories" means items that are used in conjunction with or mounted upon a firearm but are not essential to the basic function of a firearm, including, but not limited to, telescopic or laser sights, magazines, flash or sound suppressors, folding or aftermarket stocks and grips, speedloaders, ammunition carriers and lights for target illumination;

(2) "Generic and insignificant parts" includes, but is not limited to, springs, screws, nuts and pins; and

(3) "Manufactured" means creating a firearm, a firearm accessory or ammunition from basic materials for functional usefulness, including, but not limited to, forging, casting, machining or other processes for working materials.

HISTORY: Acts 2009, ch. 435, § 4. <!-- function dotocseg() { if(!pToc || pToc.isUnreal){ pToc = new ettocObject(false); } pToc.tocseg(0,0,0,'Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-54-103'); } //-->


Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-54-103
 

4-54-104. Firearms, firearm accessories and ammunition manufactured in this state not subject to federal regulation under interstate commerce clause.

A personal firearm, a firearm accessory or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in this state and that remains within the borders of this state is not subject to federal law or federal regulation, including registration, under the authority of congress to regulate interstate commerce. It is declared by the legislature that those items have not traveled in interstate commerce. This section applies to a firearm, a firearm accessory or ammunition that is manufactured in this state from basic materials and that can be manufactured without the inclusion of any significant parts imported into this state. Generic and insignificant parts that have other manufacturing or consumer product applications are not firearms, firearms accessories or ammunition, and their importation into this state and incorporation into a firearm, a firearm accessory or ammunition manufactured in this state does not subject the firearm, firearm accessory or ammunition to federal regulation. It is declared by the legislature that basic materials, such as unmachined steel and unshaped wood, are not firearms, firearms accessories or ammunition and are not subject to congressional authority to regulate firearms, firearms accessories and ammunition under interstate commerce as if they were actually firearms, firearms accessories or ammunition. The authority of congress to regulate interstate commerce in basic materials does not include authority to regulate firearms, firearms accessories and ammunition made in this state from those materials. Firearms accessories that are imported into this state from another state and that are subject to federal regulation as being in interstate commerce do not subject a firearm to federal regulation under interstate commerce because they are attached to or used in conjunction with a firearm in this state.

HISTORY: Acts 2009, ch. 435, § 5.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-54-104
 

4-54-106. Firearm must be clearly stamped with words "Made in Tennessee".

A firearm manufactured or sold in this state under this chapter must have the words "Made in Tennessee" clearly stamped on a central metallic part, such as the receiver or frame.

HISTORY: Acts 2009, ch. 435, § 7

Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-54-106
 

 

Ya I know about the Tennessee Firearms Freedom act, the feds said they won't uphold this.

[Volzfan]

I think the NRA might be a little too busy with the national crazieness going on right now to help us much on a state level.

And that why we should all get involved with the TFA!

[East_TN_Patriot]

I think the NRA might be a little too busy with the national crazieness going on right now to help us much on a state level.

 

All the more reason we need to do it ourselves.  Just as no person should become dependent on the government, neither should we become dependent on the NRA to fight for our gun rights.  It's time that every gun owner take an active role in the preservation of our rights as law-abiding gun owners.

[Guest 270win]

Will the TFA push for these kind of state level reforms?

[Worriedman]

Will the TFA push for these kind of state level reforms?

The TFA has been pushing for these types of reforms.  Problem is that we do not have enough members to seriously affect the legislature.  Nearly 400K handgun carry permits in the State, 1.2 million hunters (last figures I saw) and we do not have enough membership to give the RINOS a slight case of heart burn much less get their attention.

 

Give me 30,000 vocal members, we could name any tune we wanted.  If that same number of people put $100.00 into a PAC we would be a force to be reckoned with, right now we are a little bit of hot air, and we still stir them up big time.

[Guest 270win]

How many members does the TFA have?

[Worriedman]

Less than 5000.

 

Evidently everybody thinks somebody else is going to take care of the problem.

Edited January 25, 2013 by Worriedman

[TGO David]

Hmmm.  TGO has almost 17,000 members.  Maybe it's time we start swinging some of our weight instead of trying rely on the NRA or the TFA to do it for us.

 

I'm not convinced that the TFA is all that effective anyway.  Just my personal opinion and not an official TGO statement.

[tennessee01tacoma]

I second that. I think we probably have one of the best online communities out there.

[Guest 270win]

I think those of us who know some legislators should push for some of these good reforms and also find out why the legislators do not want to introduce bills to make our weapons laws cleaner for those with permits.

[East_TN_Patriot]

OK. What is TFA?

[Sidinman]

Tenn Firearms Association

[East_TN_Patriot]

Tenn Firearms Association

I don't think I've ever heard of it. They probably need a better marketing campaign to get membership up. I try to pay attention and honestly don't recall hearing of the group.

EDIT: I just joined. Now I can't be blamed for not helping out. For others who have not joined, it's a $35 annual membership and you can pay online. Join here: http://www.tfaonline.org/index.php/tfa/join Edited January 25, 2013 by East_TN_Patriot