Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

EXCEPTION TO UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF A FIREARM Present law provides that it is an exception that a person is carrying, whether openly or concealed, a handgun and the person lawfully possesses the handgun; the person is in a place where the person is lawfully present; and (1) The person is at least 21; or (2) The person is at least 18 and is one of the following: (A) An honorably discharged or retired veteran of the United States armed forces; (B) An honorably discharged member of the army national guard, the army reserve, navy reserve, marine corps reserve, air national guard, or the coast guard reserve, who has successfully completed a basic training program; or (C) A member of the United States armed forces on active duty status or is a current member of the army national guard, army reserve, navy reserve, marine corps reserve, air national guard, air force reserve, or the coast guard reserve, who has successfully completed a basic training program. This bill adds that a county legislative body is authorized to elect not to permit persons within the county to lawfully carry a handgun pursuant to the exception set out in this bill by passage of a resolution. Upon passage, the resolution has the effect of eliminating the exception set out in this bill to the criminal offense of unlawful carrying, as prohibited by present law, within the boundaries of the county. If the county legislative body passes such a resolution, then the county must provide notice to persons present within the county by posting notice of the resolution in conspicuous public locations throughout the county. Failure to adequately comply with the notice requirement imposed by this bill does not affect the application of the exception. LOCAL REGULATION This bill adds that a city, county, town, municipality, or metropolitan government is expressly authorized to regulate by ordinance, resolution, policy, rule, or other enactment the unlawful carrying of a firearm, as provided in this bill.