MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com)- Guns in restaurants, guns in bars and now guns in parking lots. That's what a couple of Tennessee lawmakers want. They've introduced legislation that would allow workers to leave guns in their cars in company parking lots. Right now the idea is being considered by a Senate committee.
Supporters of the bill claim it's pointless to pack heat, if you can't carry it to work. Or at least leave it in the parking lot.
“It's not really fair to handgun permit holders when they do what they're supposed to do get their license and then they go to work and they say you can't bring your gun here,” Donald Holland of Range USA said.
Gun rights advocates say legislation allowing handgun permit holders to leave their weapons in cars at work is desperately needed.
“You never know when you might need it someone breaks in, you're outside you can grab your gun help out or somebody is waiting in the parking lot, you never know,” Max Kelly said.
Critics of the bill feel it could compromise the rights of property owners who don't want guns near their businesses. We talked with an HR expert who says even if the bill becomes law, companies will likely ban workers from bringing guns on property, which would include parking lots.
Provisions of the bill would apply to both the public and private sectors, meaning it would cover everyone from airport workers to college faculty.
Many lawmakers want to put the issue on the backburner at least until elections are over.
