[citation needed] On May 7, 2009, Hawk voted to pass HB962, which would allow licensed gun owners to bring concealed weapons into bars, night clubs, and other establishments which serve alcohol.
Walt Baker, the CEO of the Tennessee Hospitality Association, which oversees hotels, motels, and restaurants, states that this bill transfers the responsibility from the customer with the firearm to the owner of the establishment.
Phil Bredesen vetoed the bill, stating that, although he supports the right to bear arms, he believes carrying "a concealed weapon into a crowded bar at midnight on a Saturday night defies common sense".
[6] In 2023, the Tennessee House voted on motions to expel three Democratic representatives for violating decorum rules for using bull horns inside the chamber to advocate gun control laws.
[12][13][14][15] On Saturday May 11, 2024 a hit and run accident in the General Morgan Inn hotel parking lot was reported to the Greeneville Police Department and security camera footage revealed the suspect to be Hawk.