A bill rapidly making its way through the Tennessee Legislature would protect employers that opt not to restrict persons who are legally licensed to carry a handgun from bringing their weapons into the workplace.
On Monday, Senate Bill (SB) 519 passed almost unanimously (the lone dissenter was Democratic Senator Beverly Marrero of Memphis). The bill, the first measure introduced by Republican Senator Mike Bell of Riceville, states that an employer opting not to post notice that handguns are restricted on the workplace property has not created an occupational safety and health hazard to other employees on the premises.
Currently, under TCA 39-17-1359, guns are permitted in a number of public places in Tennessee — including bars — unless the employer specifically posts notice restricting guns from the premises. However, some employers that opted to allow handguns in their workplaces found themselves facing complaints filed with Tennessee’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA).
If SB 519 becomes law, employers will still retain the right and authority to restrict handguns as they see fit; however, employers that choose to allow legally licensed employees to carry handguns onto workplace property will be protected from possible occupational safety sanctions.
The bill is viewed as a win for employers as it gives them the ultimate decision of whether to allow guns on their private workplace property. The legislation will now proceed to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Find more information about SB519, including video of the Senate session,
To keep up with developments in the gun law and other workplace legislative issues, check out Tennessee Legislation Service (TLS) — an online legislative bill tracking service. TLS provides up-to-the-minute information on actions in Tennessee’s General Assembly.