Today, July 1, Senate Bill 1774 and Senate Bill 1777 will take effect in Tennessee. SB 1774, sponsored by state Senator Mike Bell (R-9), allows a law-abiding gun owner to carry a firearm in his or her own vehicle without a Handgun Carry Permit (HCP). Senate Bill 1774 was signed into law on May 1.
SB 1777, also sponsored by Senator Bell, amends Tennessee’s current hunter harassment laws by prohibiting anti-hunting radicals from using drones to interfere with those lawfully hunting or fishing. The use of drones by anti-hunting extremists, with the expressed intention of spooking wildlife or catching a hunter off-guard, is extremely dangerous and could potentially result in injury. This legislation will protect the rights and safety of hunters afield. Senate Bill 1777 was signed into law on April 4.