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Beginning this fall, hunters who have a handgun carry permit can pack heat while bowhunting.
Gov. Phil Bredesen last week signed off on a new law that will permit permit holders to carry handguns during the archery-only hunting seasons.
Previously, bowhunters were prohibited from carrying any firearm during the archery-only seasons.
The rule change does not allow hunters to use their handguns on deer.
The bill was sponsored by state Rep. Mike Turner (D - Old Hickory) and state Sen. Doug Jackson (D - Dickson).
The bill passed both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly by overwhelming margins in late February before being forwarded to Gov. Bredesen for his consideration.
In the House of Representatives, the bill passed by an 85-3 vote, with John Litz (D - Morristown), Jimmy Naifeh (D - Covington) and Mary Pruitt (D - Nashville) casting the only dissenting votes. In the Senate, the bill passed by a 30-1 vote with Sen. Beverly Marrero (D - Memphis) casting the lone dissenting vote.
