A local shooting range and gun shop says it sees both sides of a bill that would force companies to allow employees to keep guns in their car in company lots.
Wednesday, Gov. Bill Haslam said he expects lawmakers to pass the bill this year.
Haslam said he's hoping to find a balance between gun rights and property rights.
Master Instructor Mark Coffey at the Coal Creek Armory in West Knoxville says the bill doesn't violate the "don't bring your gun to work" policy, but does give people with a carry permit the opportunity to carry their gun to and from work.
"Each business has the right to say they don't want firearms on the premises, but again the permit does give you the legal right to carry a weapon," explained Coffey. "And the way that I understand what they're trying to pass, they'd be able to leave it in their vehicles secure in the parking lot not necessarily on the premises."
The current version of the bill would apply to both private businesses and public institutions.
The measure would also cover any lawful firearm owner, not just those with state-issued handgun carry permits.