Senate adopts amendment protecting tenants' firearm possession; sponsor rolls full bill to Monday

The Tennessee Senate on Monday adopted Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 350, which would bar landlords from restricting tenants or their guests from legally possessing, carrying, transporting or storing firearms or ammunition in leased premises, tenant-designated parking areas or other landlord-controlled locations.

Senator Bailey presented the amendment and described its scope and remedies: the measure "authorizes a tenant adversely affected by a violation of this act to bring a suit against a landlord for declaratory and injunctive relief, actual damages, punitive damages and recovery of attorney's fees," while exempting state agencies, licensed mental health facilities and school property and applying prospectively.

After adoption of the amendment, sponsor Senator Harshbarger asked to "roll senate bill 3 50 to Monday next," and the chamber agreed without objection. The amendment therefore stands adopted on the record, and the full bill was placed on the calendar for consideration at the legislature's next scheduled floor day.

The transcript records the amendment's adoption and the procedural roll to Monday; no roll-call tally for the amendment was included in the record provided.