Tennessee Governor Amends 'Guns in Parking Lots' Law to Protect Workers

Local news

There’s an arms race playing out in Nashville, where lawmakers have been fighting for and against the rights of workers to take guns to work.

The Second Amendment spat began in 2013, when Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law the controversial “Guns in Parking Lots" bill. But the original law, which stated citizens with permits to carry guns can keep them in their cars on company property even if the employer bars them, only protected citizens against prosecution, not firing. The Tennessee Firearms Association dubbed the law the “Lose Your Job if You Commute Act.”

Now, pro-gun politicians say they have fixed the law.

“No employer shall discharge or take any adverse employment action against an employee solely for transporting or storing a firearm or firearms ammunition in an employer parking area,” reads an amended version of the bill, signed into law earlier this month by Haslam, a Republican.

West Virginia Constitutional Carry Goes to the Governor for Signature

Local news reports

West Virginia would join a handful of states not requiring concealed-handgun permits under a bill that appears headed for Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's desk.

The Republican-run House of Delegates voted 71-29 Thursday to drop concealed-carry permit requirements, with some crossover from both parties. Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Vermont and Wyoming have similar laws.

Senators approved a slightly different version of the bill late last month.

Open carry, such as in a holster on a hip, is legal without a permit in West Virginia. Thirty-one states have some variety of open-carry rules.

Covering up handguns out of plain sight -- such as with a coat -- requires a permit now.

The House version requires people who carry concealed handguns to be 21 years old, with exceptions for people older than 18 who serve in the military.

Proponents said the bill is about 2nd Amendment rights.

Erie Pennsylvania Removes its Prohibition of Guns in Parks

Local news

A state appeals court a year ago struck down an Erie ordinance that banned guns in city parks.

The law, which had been in effect since at least 1976, is now off the books altogether.

In response to a new state law, City Council unanimously deleted the part of the ordinance that prohibited carrying and possessing handguns in parks.

The city joined a number of municipalities statewide that have repealed similar ordinances in light of Act 192, which Gov. Tom Corbett signed in November and which is effective Jan. 5.

Oklahoma Gun Laws Go into Effect Today

Local news reports

Other measures to take effect include one to expand gun rights, making it lawful for a person who is licensed to carry a handgun under the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to store it out of view in a locked vehicle when the vehicle is left unattended on school property.

The measure's author, Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, said the bill protects the constitutional rights of people with permits who were previously prohibited from driving onto school property if they were carrying a weapon.

"It's a matter of a handgun-license owner, even a teacher, being able to exercise their Second Amendment right, even if they're going to work," Kern said.

Another firearms-related measure will allow current or former district attorneys to carry firearms for personal protection - even after leaving office - if they have completed a handgun qualification course developed by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training.