Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

Present law generally provides that a person commits an offense who carries, with the intent to go armed, a firearm or a club. A first violation is a Class C misdemeanor, and, in addition to possible imprisonment as provided by law, may be punished by a fine not to exceed $500. A second or subsequent violation is a Class B misdemeanor. However, a violation is a Class A misdemeanor if the person's carrying of a handgun occurred at a place open to the public where one or more persons were present.<br /> <br /> Present law also provides that it is an exception to the offense described above that a person is carrying, whether openly or concealed, a handgun and the person meets the following criteria:<br /> <br /> (1) Is at least 21, or 18 and (i) honorably discharged or retired veteran of the United States armed forces; honorably discharged member of the army national guard, the army reserve, the navy reserve, the marine corps reserve, the air national guard, the air force reserve, or the coast guard reserve, who has successfully completed a basic training program; or (iii) Is a member of the United States armed forces on active duty status or is a current member of the army national guard, the army reserve, the navy reserve, the marine corps reserve, the air national guard, the air force reserve, or the coast guard reserve, who has successfully completed a basic training program;<br /> <br /> (2) Lawfully possesses the handgun; and<br /> <br /> (3) Is in a place where the person is lawfully present.<br /> <br /> This bill removes the above exception.<br /> <br /> TRANSPORTING AND STORING A FIREARM OR FIREARM AMMUNITION IN MOTOR VEHICLE BY PERMIT HOLDER OR ONE WHO LAWFULLY CARRIES A HANDGUN<br /> <br /> Present law generally provides that a person who has a valid enhanced handgun carry permit or concealed handgun carry permit or who lawfully carries a handgun pursuant to the exception described above may, unless expressly prohibited by federal law, transport and store a firearm or firearm ammunition in the person's motor vehicle while on or utilizing any public or private parking area if the following criteria is met:<br /> <br /> (1) The person's motor vehicle is parked in a location where the motor vehicle is permitted to be; and<br /> <br /> (2) The firearm or ammunition being transported or stored in the motor vehicle (i) is kept from ordinary observation if the person is in the motor vehicle; or (ii) is kept from ordinary observation and locked within the trunk, glove box, or interior of the person's motor vehicle or a container securely affixed to the motor vehicle if the person is not in the motor vehicle.<br /> <br /> This bill removes the ability of a person who meets the criteria of the exception described above to transport and store a firearm or firearm ammunition in the person's motor vehicle while on or utilizing any public or private parking area.<br />