A Dickson state representative who leads the criminal justice committee that approved the governor’s permitless gun carry bill Wednesday said he understands law enforcement concerns — including former Dickson County sheriff Jeff Bledsoe who heads the state sheriff association.
But Rep. Michael Curcio, R-Dickson, believes the legislation unburdens law-abiding citizens and “hammers people who actually misbehave with guns.”
"The governor is going about it in the most reasoned way possible…,” Curcio said. "We are basically just removing that penalty from people who are otherwise lawful who just happened to be carrying a gun.”
The legislation would allow for both open and concealed carrying of handguns for people 21 and older without a permit, as well as for military members ages 18 to 20.