Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17.

UNLAWFUL CARRYING OR POSSESSION OF A WEAPON<br /> <br /> Present law provides that a person commits this offense when the person carries, with the intent to go armed, a firearm or a club. Under the present law, a person that is carrying, whether openly or concealed, a handgun is excluded from the applicability of this offense when the person:<br /> <br /> (1) Is either at least 21; or is at least 18 and a certain honorably discharged or retired veteran, honorably discharged member, or current member or on active duty in the United States armed forces;<br /> <br /> (2) The person lawfully possesses the handgun; and <br /> <br /> (3) The person is in a place where the person is lawfully present. <br /> <br /> This bill expands the scope of this exception by substituting the qualifying weapon from a handgun to a firearm.<br /> <br /> TRANSPORTING AND STORING A FIREARM IN A MOTOR VEHICLE<br /> <br /> Generally, under present law, a person who has a valid enhanced handgun carry permit or concealed handgun carry permit or who lawfully carries a handgun pursuant to the provisions 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 person’s motor vehicle is parked in a location where the motor vehicle is permitted to be and the firearm or ammunition being transported or stored is either kept from ordinary observation if the person is in the motor vehicle or is kept from ordinary observation and locked within the truck, 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 also expands the category of weapons that fall under this provision permitting the transportation and storing of firearms within a motor vehicle from a handgun to a firearm. <br /> <br /> DEFINITIONS<br /> <br /> For purposes of this bill:<br /> <br /> (1) A "firearm" means a weapon that will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; a firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or any destructive device; but does not include an antique firearm; and<br /> <br /> (2) A "handgun" means a firearm with a barrel length of less than 12 inches that is designed, made, or adapted to be fired with one hand.<br />