Chas Sisk

csisk@tennessean.com

State Rep. Micah Van Huss said he would drop his bid to force a vote in the House on a bill that would let gun owners carry their weapons openly in Tennessee without first having to get a permit.

The decision came after the bill lost 10-1 in subcommittee Monday night.

Earlier Monday, Van Huss, R-Jonesborough, had filed paperwork to force a floor vote even if the bill failed in subcommittee.

He said in a letter to House lawmakers that "powers are at work" to stall House Bill 2409 and undermine it with claims that it will require the state to print new handgun carry permits, at a cost to taxpayers of $100,000. The measure would have required handgun permits only if gun owners planned to conceal their weapons or carry them in certain places.

Earlier:Sponsor says he would raise money for open carry

But after the vote in the House Finance subcommittee, Van Huss told reporters he would walk away from that effort. His motion was to have been considered today.

"They killed the bill fair and square," he said afterward.

Reach Chas Sisk at 615-259-8283 and on Twitter @chassisk.