TN SB0043The bill aimed to allow counties in Tennessee to decide whether or not to allow people to carry handguns without a permit. If a county chose to prohibit this, it would have to inform the public by posting notices in visible places. However, the bill did not pass.
TN SB0043 is a senate bill in the Tennessee 114th General Assembly, sponsored by London Lamar (D), currently “Failed” since February 3, 2026.
We track 9,160 Tennessee bills this session, 117 of them sponsored by London Lamar.
Supporters of the bill argued that it would give local governments the authority to make decisions that reflect the safety needs and preferences of their communities. They believed that allowing counties to regulate handgun carry permits could lead to safer environments and more responsible gun ownership.
Critics of the bill contended that it would create a patchwork of gun laws across the state, leading to confusion and potential legal issues for gun owners. They argued that it could infringe on Second Amendment rights and undermine the principle of responsible gun carrying for law-abiding citizens.
The sponsor of SB0043, London Lamar, has personal financial interests that do not directly align with the subject matter of the bill regarding the carrying of firearms. As a community organizer and board member of the Memphis Branch of the NAACP, her professional roles do not indicate any financial stake in the firearms industry or related sectors. Furthermore, her employment with ELITE PROMOTIONS does not suggest any direct involvement in gun control or firearms legislation, which further minimizes the potential for conflicts of interest. Given these factors, there is no evidence that the bill would provide any personal financial gain to the sponsor.
Unlike federal analysis based on campaign donations, state analysis examines legislators' personal financial interests — their jobs, businesses, and investments.
| Type | Description | Industry | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupation | Community Organizer | — | AI-researched |
| Employer | Tennessee State Legislature | — | TN Legislature bio |
| Board Member | Board Member of the Memphis Branch of the NAACP | — | AI-researched |
| Employer | ELITE PROMOTIONS | — | TN Ethics Commission |
Items marked "AI-researched" are generated from public sources but have not been independently verified. Verified data is sourced from official legislature websites and disclosure filings.
About This Analysis
This summary was generated using AI from the bill's official text and metadata. Data sourced from LegiScan and the Tennessee General Assembly. Conflict analysis examines the sponsor's personal financial interests for potential overlaps with the bill's subject matter.
What does TN SB0043 do?
The bill aimed to allow counties in Tennessee to decide whether or not to allow people to carry handguns without a permit. If a county chose to prohibit this, it would have to inform the public by posting notices in visible places. However, the bill did not pass.
What is the status of TN SB0043?
TN SB0043 is currently “Failed” in the Tennessee legislature.
Who sponsored TN SB0043?
London Lamar (D) sponsored TN SB0043.
