Constitutional Amendments - Proposes an amendment to Article I, Section 26 of the Constitution of Tennessee to enshrine permitless carry in this state by clarifying that citizens have a right to keep and bear arms in public without a permit or license and to delete provision that authorizes the legislature to regulate the wearing of arms with a view to prevent crime. -

SJR 659 proposes a constitutional amendment to Tennessee's Constitution that would establish a right for citizens to carry firearms in public without a permit. It would delete the current constitutional language allowing the legislature to regulate the wearing of arms to prevent crime and replace it with a provision stating citizens have a right to keep and bear arms without a permit. If approved by voters, this change would make permitless carry the constitutional standard for public firearm carrying in Tennessee, directly affecting all residents who carry firearms. The amendment requires legislative approval and voter ratification to take effect.