NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A proposal to seal Tennessee's handgun carry permit records from public scrutiny is headed for a full Senate vote.
The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Ferrell Haile of Gallatin unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday and is headed for a vote by the full Senate. The companion bill was approved 84-10 in the House last month.
The bill blocking access to the entire database of handgun carry permit holders no longer includes loopholes for political or lobbying groups that was included in a previous version of the measure.
It would still allow the media and the public to check whether individuals charged with felonies are permit holders by providing a legal document or other record, but it would not apply to misdemeanor charges like drunken driving.