Republicans gave first approval to a bill opposed by law enforcement that would allow people as young as 18 to carry loaded shotguns and rifles in public parks and greenways.

Republicans gave first approval to a bill — opposed by law enforcement — that would allow people as young as 18 to carry loaded shotguns and rifles in public parks and on greenways.

House Bill 2064, as amended, would allow adults legally allowed to own firearms to carry loaded rifles, shotguns and repeating rifles into state and local parks, greenways and other recreational properties — even if there are children present.

Multiple law enforcement groups, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association, have spoken out against the bill. 

Republicans on the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee approved it in a party-line vote of 7 to 2. Companion legislation has not yet moved in the Senate. 

Speaking on behalf of TBI, Rachel Russell said the agency has “concerns related to public safety” on the bill.

“Open carry of loaded long guns … creates a dangerous situation for the communities across our state,” Russell said, saying lifting current restrictions could create safety issues for people carrying the guns, those around them and responding law enforcement.

“Our perspective on this is public safety,” said Jimmy Musice, speaking on behalf of the Sheriffs’ Association. 

Musice asked the committee to not allow long guns to be carried during public assemblies and protests. 

“Tempers are up, there’s a lot of hostility there,” he said, adding that “potential bad actors” could take advantage of the new flexibility created by the bill. 

C. Richard Archie, president of the Tennessee Firearms Association, asked members to support the bill, saying it “corrects several inconsistencies in what should be our rights.”

Carol Buckley Fraiser, with the Tennessee Chapter of Moms Demand Action, called the measure “a dangerous rollback of sensible gun safety laws that work to keep Tennessee children safe.”

Bill sponsor Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County, argued that it’s not the legislature’s job to keep people safe.

“It’s been mentioned that our obligation is to keep people safe. Unfortunately, that is not what the Constitution says,” Todd said. “It is to protect people’s liberties, their freedoms and their liberties — especially their civil rights.” 

Todd called the matter of carrying loaded long guns in public areas “a civil right that has been infringed upon … over and over and over again.”

Rep. Jason Powell, D-Nashville, responded that, “I think, unfortunately, this situation is going to cost more Tennesseans their life.” 

The House bill is scheduled to be heard in the Judiciary Committee next week. 

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — With heavy rain expected tonight, some Nashville residents are raising concerns about large debris piles still sitting in neighborhoods across Metro Nashville — and whether those piles could make flooding worse.

Piles of trees, branches, and other woody material left after cleanup efforts can become a problem if heavy rain washes them into nearby storm drains, culverts, or creeks. Metro Water Services says those blockages can quickly lead to flooding and even damage critical infrastructure like bridges and drainage systems.

To get ahead of the storm, crews ran what officials call “rain routes” earlier this week — checking and clearing storm drains in areas that have historically had flooding problems or where debris could create an issue. Metro Water Services also responds to reports of trees or debris blocking bridges or culverts, which can restrict water flow during storms.

Nashville Department of Transportation crews have been working 12-hour shifts every day since early February, actively monitoring conditions to stay ahead of potential issues.

With heavy rain possible tonight, the city says crews will be on call overnight to respond to any reports of isolated or flash flooding.

City leaders are reminding residents that how debris is placed can make a difference. Vegetation debris should be placed at the curb — or in the alley if that is where pickup normally happens — but should never block storm drains, drainage ditches, culverts, sidewalks, or roadways. Officials also stress that yard debris should never be placed directly in a ditch, because that can quickly block water flow when storms move through.

If you see flooding on a roadway, you are asked to report it to Metro’s non-emergency line.

Officials also encourage residents to understand their property’s flood risk and stay aware of changing conditions during storms. For information on flood risk in your area, visit Nashville.gov.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Update 2:45 p.m.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol said the emergency situation near I-24 in Rutherford County has been resolved and the interstate is in the process of reopening. Traffic is moving slowly as the scene clears. Drivers needing highway assistance can dial *847 (*THP).

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Authorities have shut down part of westbound I-24 in Rutherford County due to an ongoing emergency situation Wednesday afternoon.

Officials told NewsChannel 5 there is an armed individual who has barricaded themselves inside a home near the 9000 block of Manchester Pike.

No hostages have been reported and officials added that the individual fired their gun into the air, but didn’t target anyone.

Law enforcement is working to negotiate with the individual to surrender and come out safely.

According to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, I-24 westbound is closed from the Coffee County line to South Church Street. Nearby Highway 41 is also closed between Epps Mill Road and Big Springs Road.

The Tennessee SmartWay system reports police activity near mile marker 81, where all westbound lanes and the exit ramp are blocked.

Drivers are being directed to take Exit 97 toward Wartrace and follow U.S. Highway 231 back to I-24 in Murfreesboro as an alternate route.

Authorities have not released additional details about the emergency situation.