NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
A spokesperson says Governor Bill Haslam is "likely to sign" a bill that just passed which allows handgun carry permit holders to store firearms in their vehicles no matter where they are parked.
After the Senate overwhelmingly passed the measure earlier this session, the House voted Thursday 72-22 to pass the measure sponsored by Republican Representative Jeremy Faison.
Despite the outcome never in doubt, it was not without some sound and fury.
The supermajority of House Republicans rejected a series of Democratic amendments to maintain business owners' rights and to create exceptions for schools and colleges.
Opposition from businesses and schools was softened this year with new language protecting them from liability in case a weapon is stolen from a car or used in a workplace shooting.
The small minority of democrats, however, pressed the Republican sponsor that law abiding gun-owners could still be fired for bringing weapons stored in their car to work.
"Technically, yes," said Faison, "but nobody has been fired yet that has a gun at work."
After the vote, both sides offered their own special spin about what the bill really means.
"I guess what we have done is pass a bill that is Tennessee's equivalent of the 'Bridge to Nowhere,'" said House Democratic Caucus chair Mike Turner. "We have passed a bill that doesn't do anything."
Faison, who talked about gun owners having to take their weapons in and out of cars to comply with present law, disagrees.
"And when they go to pick up their child or whatever they do, if they are a permit holder, we are not going to give a criminal penalty to them. This bill does a lot," he responded.
*The Association Press contributed to this story.
Previous Stories:
- Feb. 27, 2013: House Democrats call for change to Guns in Parking Lots bill
- Feb. 20, 2013: Parking lot guns bill charges toward House vote
- Feb. 11, 2013: Senate approves parking lot guns bill on 28-5 vote
- Feb. 8, 2013: Business owners against guns in cars bill
- Feb. 7, 2013: Parking lot guns bill to be up in Senate on Monday
- Feb. 5, 2013: State lawmakers take another look at 'Guns in Cars'
- Dec. 5, 2012: Gun battle looms again at Tennessee capitol
- March 20, 2012: Vote on guns in parking lots bill delayed
- March 6, 2012: Business leaders urge lawmakers to reject guns in parking lot bill
- Feb. 23, 2012: Tenon. lawmakers debate parking lot gun bill
