Tennesseans will be allowed to bring their guns to the new home of the legislature but must leave any hand-held signs behind, according to a recently implemented policy.

The policy, which Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, and House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, approved Dec. 14, expressly prohibits “hand-carried signs and signs on hand sticks” because they “represent a serious safety hazard.”

In recent years, protesters have frequently brought signs with them to Legislative Plaza — state lawmakers’ longtime home. Last month lawmakers offices were moved into the newly renovated Cordell Hull building.

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Earlier this year, conservatives protesting Gov. Bill Haslam’s plan to increase the state’s gas tax flocked to the plaza wearing bright green t-shirts, alongside a gas can-shaped mascot which held a large white sign that read “Tank the tax.”

In 2016, dozens of people silently protested a resolution directing the state to sue the federal government over refugee resettlement. The group held small sheets of paper that read “Welcome refugees” as a Senate committee discussed the measure.

That same year, protesters frustrated with lawmakers’ decision to not expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act held purple signs while sitting outside Harwell’s legislative office.

In a separate protest, those frustrated with Haslam’s outsourcing proposal unfurled a banner with hundreds of names inside Legislative Plaza.

And that’s not to mention the countless protesters who have flocked to the second floor of the statehouse in recent years, many of whom held signs, to express their views as lawmakers entered their respective chambers.

Connie Ridley, director of legislative administration, said Wednesday that hand-held signs were also prohibited inside Legislative Plaza.

When asked to explain why such signs were frequently seen inside the building during previous legislative sessions, Ridley said, “The protocol has always prohibited signs. It will be enforced in the Cordell Hull building."

Ken Paulson, who serves as president of Middle Tennessee State University's First Amendment Center and dean of the school's College of Media and Entertainment, said, "Any rational person would have to suspect that this is an attempt in part to limit dissent and to avoid embarrassment to lawmakers."

Paulson said that similar types of regulations on the First Amendment activities have consistently been upheld in court.

He said the new written policy leaves wiggle room for protesters to wear sandwich boards, T-shirts, hats and signs around their necks.

The apparent change in policy is modeled after similar protocols set in place in other state office buildings.

The new policy also prohibits animals — with the exception of service animals — in the building. In the past, lawmakers, including Sen. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, and McNally, have brought their own dogs to the legislature. It is not clear whether the new policy would prohibit them from continuing the practice.

When asked whether Lundberg and McNally can bring their dogs to the new building, Ridley simply reiterated the policy.

The change in what's allowed in Cordell Hull is not without precedent. Earlier this year, McNally and Harwell implemented a new policy that would allow Tennesseans with a valid gun permit to bring weapons into the building. Prior to the move, guns were not allowed in Legislative Plaza.

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Guns will not be allowed in the state Capitol, which is controlled by Haslam.

A spokeswoman for the governor noted that the Capitol Commission, not Haslam is in charge of the policy pertaining to what's allowed in the Capitol.

The Capitol Commission's policy also contains a provision that prohibits hand-held signs and signs on hand sticks due to safety hazards. Despite the policy, protesters have frequently been seen in recent years hold such signage, suggesting the ban is loosely, if ever, enforced.

Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.

The following is a copy of the new Cordell Hull building policy.