SB 1348 removes an exception that currently allows certain individuals to carry handguns without a permit in specific locations. It deletes language from Tennessee law that previously exempted people who lawfully possess a handgun and are at least 21 years old (or 18 with military service) from being charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm while in a place they are legally allowed to be. The bill directly affects those who currently rely on this exemption, making it a criminal offense to carry a handgun in such settings without a permit. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.
HB 1392 would remove an exception in Tennessee law that currently allows certain individuals to carry a handgun without facing charges for unlawfully carrying a firearm with intent to go armed. Specifically, it deletes the exemption for people who lawfully possess a handgun, are in a place they are lawfully present, and are either 21 years or older or 18 with qualifying military service. After the bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, these individuals would no longer be exempt and could be charged under the general unlawful carrying provision. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections 39-17-1307 and 39-17-1313 to eliminate this exception.
SB 33, "MaKayla's Law," amends Tennessee's reckless endangerment law to specifically address firearm storage. It makes it a felony for a person who fails to lock, secure, or make a firearm unavailable, resulting in a child under 13 gaining access, discharging the firearm, and causing injury or death. A Class E felony applies for bodily injury, while a Class C felony applies if the discharge causes death. This directly affects firearm owners with children under 13, imposing criminal penalties for negligent storage that leads to child access incidents. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 947, "Akilah's Law," creates a new criminal offense for selling, offering to sell, delivering, or transferring a firearm to someone known to have been a patient in a mental health facility within the past five years. It directly affects firearm sellers and individuals with recent mental health institutionalization (excluding those treated solely for voluntary alcohol abuse without other conditions). The law amends Tennessee statutes to prohibit these transactions and defines "mental institution" broadly to include hospitals, clinics, and evaluation facilities. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025, and applies to all firearm transfers, not just sales.
HB 468 increases criminal penalties for reckless endangerment involving firearms discharged into vehicles. If a motor vehicle is occupied, discharging a firearm (including antique firearms) into it becomes a Class C felony; if unoccupied, it becomes a Class D felony. The bill amends Tennessee law to specify these penalty levels under reckless endangerment statutes. This change directly affects individuals who recklessly fire weapons into vehicles, raising the severity of potential criminal charges based on whether the vehicle was occupied at the time. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 1204, the "Anti-Road Rage Act of 2024," creates new criminal penalties for firearm-related conduct in vehicles. It makes it a Class E felony to recklessly discharge a firearm while operating or riding in a motor vehicle, and a Class A misdemeanor to recklessly display or brandish a firearm in the same situation. The law directly affects drivers and passengers who engage in these actions, applying to all motor vehicles under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-17-1902 and 39-17-1903, effective July 1, 2025.
HB 1191, the "Anti-Road Rage Act of 2024," creates a Class E felony for recklessly discharging a firearm while operating or riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle, and a Class A misdemeanor for recklessly brandishing or displaying a firearm in the same situation. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Titles 39 (crimes) and 55 (vehicles), to establish these specific penalties. It directly affects drivers and passengers who engage in these firearm-related actions in vehicles, with the law scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.
HB 1190 creates two new criminal offenses in Tennessee. It makes it a Class E felony to control a motor vehicle without the owner's permission (knowing they lack authorization), and a Class A misdemeanor to possess a firearm the person knows or should know was stolen. The bill specifies that vehicle control without permission will be punished as theft under existing law, while the firearm provision allows standard defenses for possession. These changes directly affect individuals who commit vehicle control without consent or possess stolen firearms, with penalties defined by the bill's new sections in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 1187 requires courts to mandate GPS monitoring for defendants released on bail in specific cases, including those accused of firearm offenses, domestic assault, vehicle burglary, reckless driving, drag racing, or repeat crimes under certain statutes. It directly affects defendants charged with these offenses who are granted bail, unless a court determines they no longer pose a threat to victims or public safety. The bill adds reporting requirements for courts to track monthly GPS usage and submit annual county-level data to legislative committees. Key provisions include mandating GPS as a bail condition for listed offenses and requiring courts to document factors for release decisions. The law amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to implement these changes.
HB 167, known as "MaKayla's Law," amends Tennessee's reckless endangerment law to specifically address firearm safety. It makes it a felony for an adult who fails to lock, secure, or store a firearm safely, resulting in a child under 13 gaining access, discharging it, and causing injury or death. The law creates two new felony charges: a Class E felony for bodily injury and a Class C felony for death. This directly affects firearm owners in households with children under 13, imposing criminal penalties for negligent storage that leads to harm. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
