People with state-issued handgun carry permits will be allowed to be armed within Tennessee's new legislative office complex.
Lawmakers and staff started their move into the renovated Cordell Hull office building near the state Capitol this week. The facility has been scheduled to open to the public this month.
House Speaker Beth Harwell and Senate Speaker Randy McNally announced Wednesday that people who wish to keep their guns on them inside the building will be required to present their permits at security checkpoints.
Earlier efforts to allow handguns within the old Legislative Plaza complex were thwarted because Governor Bill Haslam's administration said it had oversight over the building and did not want to go along with the change.
Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally and Speaker Beth Harwell released the following statement on Wednesday:
"Carry permit holders will be allowed to carry their firearms into the Cordell Hull Building, the new home of the Tennessee General Assembly. Tennessee carry permit holders are among the most law-abiding demographics in our state. To receive a permit, a citizen must be fingerprinted, submit to a background check and receive firearm training. Permit holders wishing to carry their firearms into Cordell Hull will be required to present their permit at security. A thorough screening process will determine the validity of the permit. Once that validity is established, a permit holder will be allowed exercise their Second Amendment while visiting their state government."
