WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 2376

Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, states that if the possession of a handgun is restricted or prohibited at a county courthouse, then the sheriff of the county may provide secure storage lockers for those individuals who are lawfully carrying a firearm to store the firearm in separate secured, lockable storage units at or near a designated public entrance to the building or structure at no cost to the individual. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 7; Title 8, Chapter 8 and Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Clay Doggett

Tennessee law would require sheriffs to provide free, secure storage lockers at courthouses where citizens must surrender firearms due to weapons restrictions.

Signed by H. Speaker
#firearmsandammunition
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2376

Legislative bill overview

HB 2376 requires Tennessee county sheriffs to provide free, secure storage lockers at or near courthouse entrances where individuals must surrender firearms due to courthouse weapon restrictions. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee Code to establish this accommodation as a mandatory service when handgun possession is prohibited in courthouses.

Why is this important

This bill addresses a practical conflict between Second Amendment rights and courthouse security policies by creating an alternative that allows armed citizens to retain their weapons nearby rather than being forced to leave them at home or in vehicles. It reflects broader tensions over balancing public safety measures in sensitive locations against individual gun ownership rights.

Potential points of contention

  • Security concerns: Lockers near building entrances could be vulnerable to theft, unauthorized access, or retrieval by prohibited individuals, potentially creating new security risks rather than mitigating them
  • Cost and logistics: Sheriffs must fund and maintain storage infrastructure; unclear how secure, monitored lockers can truly be provided "at no cost" without taxpayer burden or compromised security standards
  • Scope of restrictions: The bill doesn't clarify which courthouse areas trigger restrictions or whether this applies to all courthouses statewide, potentially creating inconsistent policies across counties
  • Constitutional questions: Courts have upheld weapons restrictions in courthouses; this bill assumes those restrictions are legitimate while requiring expensive workarounds rather than challenging them directly

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.