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Tennessee Employers May Allow Concealed Weapons in the Workplace

06/06/18

Author: ADP Admin/Wednesday, June 6, 2018/Categories: State Compliance Update, Tennessee

Tennessee law now allows an individual, corporation, business entity, or government entity (collectively “entity”) to permit the concealed carry of handguns by permit holders, while still prohibiting other weapons or the open carry of firearms at the workplace. Tennessee law previously allowed an entity to prohibit possession of all weapons on its premises, including by a person authorized to carry a concealed firearm with a valid permit.

The new law allows an entity or agent thereof to either:
  • Prohibit the possession of weapons by any person who is at a meeting conducted by—or on property owned, operated, managed or under the control of—the individual, corporation, business entity, or government entity; or
  • Restrict the possession of weapons by any person who is at a meeting conducted by—or on property owned, operated, managed or under the control of—the individual, corporation, business entity, or government entity by allowing a handgun to be carried in a concealed manner only by persons with valid permits.
The amendment also requires that notice of the prohibition or restriction on weapons be accomplished by displaying the notice in prominent locations.
  • If the entity prohibits all weapons, the sign must include the phrase “NO FIREARMS ALLOWED” in a font at least one inch high and eight inches wide, and the phrase “As authorized by T.C.A. § 39-17-1359.” The sign must also include a pictorial representation of the phrase "NO FIREARMS ALLOWED"— that is, a circle with a diagonal line through the circle and an image of a firearm inside the circle under the diagonal line. The entire pictorial representation must be at least four inches high and four inches wide. The diagonal line must be at a 45-degree angle from the upper left to the lower right side of the circle.
  • If the entity chooses to restrict all weapons except those validly concealed and carried, the sign must say, “CONCEALED FIREARMS ONLY” in a font at least one inch high and eight inches wide, and include the phrase “As authorized by T.C.A. §§ 39-17-1351 and 39-17-1359.” The sign must include a pictorial representation of the phrase "CONCEALED FIREARMS ONLY"— that is, a circle with a diagonal line through it and images of a firearm and an eyeball inside the circle. The entire pictorial representation must be at least four inches high and four inches wide. The diagonal line must be at a 45-degree angle from the upper left to the lower right side of the circle.
The entity must replace any signs allowed by a previous version of this law by January 1, 2019.

The amendments are codified at sections 39-17-1359(a)(1), (b)(3), and (b)(4) of the Tennessee Code Annotated.

Coverage: Employers with employees in Tennessee

Effective: April 24, 2018. Any signs previously allowed must be replaced by January 1, 2019.

Action Required: You should review your current policy and, if necessary, revise sections to address weapons on company property. Advise employees of any amended policies. In addition, review any posted notices concerning restrictions on weapons on workplace property and make revisions to address these amendments.

As always, please be sure to contact your HR Business Partner if you have any questions.

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