TN SB1628

Enhanced Handgun Carry Permits

Engrossed Senate Joseph Hensley (R)
Plain English Summary

Tennessee SB1628 is a bill that expands the eligibility for a fee waiver on lifetime enhanced handgun carry permits. It allows retired law enforcement officers, who served less than 10 years and retired due to injury in the line of duty, to receive this waiver if they were certified or had equivalent training. This aims to support officers who have faced challenges during their service.

At a Glance

TN SB1628 is a senate bill in the Tennessee 114th General Assembly, sponsored by Joseph Hensley (R), currently “Engrossed” since March 30, 2026.

We track 9,160 Tennessee bills this session, 144 of them sponsored by Joseph Hensley.

Supporters Say

Supporters of SB1628 argue that the bill honors the sacrifices of retired law enforcement officers who were injured on the job. By providing them with a fee waiver for enhanced handgun carry permits, the state acknowledges their service and helps them maintain their rights to self-defense.

Critics Say

Critics of SB1628 may contend that extending fee waivers for enhanced handgun carry permits could lead to an increase in firearms among individuals who may not have extensive experience. They argue that this could pose risks to public safety and question the necessity of such waivers for those with shorter service records.

Conflict of Interest Analysis Personal Interests
1/10
Risk Level
Low
Policy Area
Crime and Law Enforcement
Industry Overlap
0%
Personal Conflicts
0 found

The bill SB1628, which extends the fee waiver for lifetime enhanced handgun carry permits to certain retired law enforcement officers, does not present any direct conflicts of interest with the personal financial interests of the sponsor, Joseph Hensley. His primary occupation as a physician and his ownership of Hensley Medical Clinic are in the health sector, which does not intersect with the firearms legislation addressed in this bill. Furthermore, his role as a board member of the Tennessee Medical Association also does not relate to gun control or firearms regulation. Therefore, there are no evident financial incentives that could influence his sponsorship of this bill, as his personal financial interests are not aligned with the bill's subject matter of firearms and law enforcement.

Sponsor's Personal Financial Interests

Unlike federal analysis based on campaign donations, state analysis examines legislators' personal financial interests — their jobs, businesses, and investments.

Type Description Industry Source
Occupation Physician Health Professionals AI-researched
Employer Maury Regional Medical Center — AI-researched
Business Owner Owner of Hensley Medical Clinic — TN Legislature bio
Board Member Board Member of the Tennessee Medical Association — TN Legislature bio

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.

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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.

Frequently Asked Questions
What does TN SB1628 do?

Tennessee SB1628 is a bill that expands the eligibility for a fee waiver on lifetime enhanced handgun carry permits. It allows retired law enforcement officers, who served less than 10 years and retired due to injury in the line of duty, to receive this waiver if they were certified or had equivalent training. This aims to support officers who have faced challenges during their service.

What is the status of TN SB1628?

TN SB1628 is currently “Engrossed” in the Tennessee legislature.

Who sponsored TN SB1628?

Joseph Hensley (R) sponsored TN SB1628.