Tennessee committee backs new ‘enhanced’ armed-guard license, sends bill to government operations
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The House Commerce Committee on Monday advanced House Bill 683, creating a new “enhanced” armed-guard license that requires higher background checks and expanded firearms qualification and training, the committee chair announced.
The bill creates a tiered license for armed security personnel intended to distinguish highly trained, prior military or law-enforcement candidates from those who hold only the existing armed-guard credential. “This creates an enhanced armed guard license where those individuals would be prior military, prior law enforcement, extensive training,” Leader Lambeth said during his presentation. “So that if someone is hiring an armed guard, they know that that individual is well trained and can actually defend their person or property.”
Leader Lambeth told the committee the measure would require firearms qualification for shotguns and rifles in addition to the pistol qualifications already required for armed guards. “Armed guards are currently allowed to carry shotguns, but they are not required to qualify on those shotguns,” he said. “This bill would allow them to still continue to carry shotguns or rifles … but they would have to qualify on those on a regular basis.”
Committee members described the bill as addressing a perceived training gap and enabling employers and institutions to distinguish higher-qualified security staff. The sponsor said the license would be available to those who meet enhanced requirements and that a fee, similar but slightly higher than the existing armed-guard fee, would apply. Leader Lambeth noted some implementation details would be set in agency rules.
The committee attached an amendment (drafting code 004376) that traveled with the bill. Following questions and discussion, the committee voted 22–0 to send HB 683, as amended, to the Government Operations committee.
Votes and next steps: HB 683 passed the Commerce Committee 22 ayes, 0 nos and will move to Government Operations for further consideration.
Context: Committee members said the change responds to stakeholder feedback that current Tennessee licensing does not differentiate between minimally trained armed guards and those with prior military or law-enforcement experience and recurring firearms training. The bill, as presented, focuses on licensing and training standards; enforcement, rulemaking and fee specifics will be determined in subsequent administrative rulemaking if the bill advances.
— Article compiled from remarks by Leader Lambeth and committee proceedings recorded in the House Commerce Committee transcript.
The bill creates a tiered license for armed security personnel intended to distinguish highly trained, prior military or law-enforcement candidates from those who hold only the existing armed-guard credential. “This creates an enhanced armed guard license where those individuals would be prior military, prior law enforcement, extensive training,” Leader Lambeth said during his presentation. “So that if someone is hiring an armed guard, they know that that individual is well trained and can actually defend their person or property.”
Leader Lambeth told the committee the measure would require firearms qualification for shotguns and rifles in addition to the pistol qualifications already required for armed guards. “Armed guards are currently allowed to carry shotguns, but they are not required to qualify on those shotguns,” he said. “This bill would allow them to still continue to carry shotguns or rifles … but they would have to qualify on those on a regular basis.”
Committee members described the bill as addressing a perceived training gap and enabling employers and institutions to distinguish higher-qualified security staff. The sponsor said the license would be available to those who meet enhanced requirements and that a fee, similar but slightly higher than the existing armed-guard fee, would apply. Leader Lambeth noted some implementation details would be set in agency rules.
The committee attached an amendment (drafting code 004376) that traveled with the bill. Following questions and discussion, the committee voted 22–0 to send HB 683, as amended, to the Government Operations committee.
Votes and next steps: HB 683 passed the Commerce Committee 22 ayes, 0 nos and will move to Government Operations for further consideration.
Context: Committee members said the change responds to stakeholder feedback that current Tennessee licensing does not differentiate between minimally trained armed guards and those with prior military or law-enforcement experience and recurring firearms training. The bill, as presented, focuses on licensing and training standards; enforcement, rulemaking and fee specifics will be determined in subsequent administrative rulemaking if the bill advances.
— Article compiled from remarks by Leader Lambeth and committee proceedings recorded in the House Commerce Committee transcript.
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