Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 914: Handgun Permits - As introduced, extends the time, from 30 to 45 days, within which a person whose handgun carry permit has been suspended or revoked may petition the chancery court for judicial review of the department of safety's final determination. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 914 extends the timeframe for individuals whose handgun carry permits have been suspended or revoked to challenge that decision in court. Specifically, it changes the deadline from 30 to 45 days to petition a chancery court for review of the state safety department's final determination. The bill directly affects permit holders facing suspension or revocation, giving them more time to seek judicial review. This is a procedural change to Tennessee law (TCA Title 39) with no other substantive policy shifts. The amendment takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends due process for permit holders, aligning with procedural fairness in criminal justice by increasing judicial review window.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms

Track

failed · Tennessee · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 1222: Orders of Protection - As introduced, allows a court to issue an emergency protection order upon a finding that a person poses an imminent risk of harm to the person or others if allowed to purchase or possess a firearm; authorizes a family member, household member, intimate partner, or law enforcement officer to petition for such an order. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 39.

HB 1222 would allow courts in Tennessee to issue emergency orders restricting a person’s access to firearms if a family member, household member, intimate partner, or law enforcement officer files a petition alleging the person poses an imminent risk of harm. The bill requires courts to issue these orders immediately if harm is imminent, prohibits the petitioner from paying court costs (shifting costs to the respondent), and mandates a hearing within 30 days to extend the order for up to one year. It specifically defines "family member," "household member," and "intimate partner" to clarify who can petition and ensures law enforcement receives copies to enforce the order. The bill, which amends Tennessee Code Titles 36 and 39, is currently pending (it failed in the Criminal Justice Subcommittee in April 2025).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts firearm access for imminent harm risk via court orders, enhancing public safety within criminal justice framework per protection order reforms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

Track

died · Tennessee · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 607: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, deletes the offense of unlawful carrying of a firearm or club with the intent to go armed; lowers the age requirement to obtain an enhanced or concealed handgun carry permit from 21 to 18 years of age. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17.

SB 607 would have deleted the offense of "unlawful carrying of a firearm with intent to go armed" and lowered the minimum age for obtaining a concealed handgun carry permit from 21 to 18 years. It would have added new rules for juveniles (under 18), making it a Class A misdemeanor to carry a firearm with intent to go armed - except during activities like hunting, safety courses, or supervised practice. The bill would have directly affected juveniles and applicants seeking concealed carry permits by changing eligibility rules and creating specific exceptions for lawful firearm activities. These changes were part of amendments to Tennessee's firearms statutes (Title 39, Chapter 17), but the bill was withdrawn before enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill deletes unlawful carrying offense for adults, reducing criminalization. Aligns with reform by minimizing minor offenses. New juvenile rules are specific but do not override overall reduction.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

died · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 58: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires an employing law enforcement agency to contact any prior law enforcement agency that employed the agency's officer or special deputy as part of the thorough investigation into the person's good moral character. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 8.

HB 58 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies to contact a job candidate's previous law enforcement employers as part of verifying their "good moral character" during hiring. This applies directly to police departments and sheriff's offices when vetting new officers or special deputies. The bill amends Tennessee law to mandate this specific step in the background check process. As a procedural change to hiring requirements, it does not alter substantive law or create new penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires prior employer contact for officer vetting, enhancing accountability in law enforcement hiring per bill's procedural change to background checks.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 585: Finance and Administration, Dept. of - As introduced, allows the department, office of criminal justice programs, to use available existing resources to seek appropriate funding and resources from the federal and state governments to design and implement grants to reduce gun violence in this state. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 38; Title 39; Title 47 and Title 68.

SB 585 allows Tennessee's Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Criminal Justice Programs, to use existing resources and seek federal or state funding to design and implement grants targeting gun violence reduction. The bill defines "gun violence" as homicide, violent crime, and domestic violence for these grant programs. It does not create new state funding but provides a mechanism for the department to access existing and additional resources to support community-based violence prevention initiatives. This legislation directly affects the department's ability to address gun violence through grant programs without requiring new legislative appropriations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables grants for gun violence reduction through community programs, aligning with criminal justice reform by addressing homicide and violent crime via existing resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms Violent Crime

Track

introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 24, 2025

HB 566: Finance and Administration, Dept. of - As introduced, allows the department, office of criminal justice programs, to use available existing resources to seek appropriate funding and resources from the federal and state governments to design and implement grants to reduce gun violence in this state. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 38; Title 39; Title 47 and Title 68.

HB 566 allows Tennessee's Department of Finance and Administration and the Office of Criminal Justice Programs to use existing resources and seek additional federal or state funding to design and implement grants targeting gun violence reduction. The bill specifically defines "gun violence" as homicide, violent crime, and domestic violence, and amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to enable this funding mechanism. It does not create new spending but directs state agencies to leverage current resources and pursue external funding for grant programs. The bill directly affects state agencies managing criminal justice programs and communities impacted by gun violence through potential grant-supported initiatives.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds gun violence reduction grants via existing resources, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to address homicide and violent crime.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms Violent Crime

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 993: Handgun Permits - As introduced, extends the time, from 30 days to 60 days, within which a person whose handgun carry permit has been suspended or revoked may petition the chancery court for judicial review of the department of safety's final determination. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 10; Title 29; Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 50 and Title 70.

SB 993 extends the deadline for individuals with suspended or revoked handgun permits to request court review of the decision from 30 to 60 days. This change directly affects permit holders whose permits were suspended or revoked by the Tennessee Department of Safety. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (Titles 4, 8, 10, 29, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 49, 50, and 70) to update this review period, providing more time for affected individuals to seek judicial review.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends judicial review window for permit holders, enhancing due process rights in criminal justice proceedings related to firearm permits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 824: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, removes the criminal offense of possession of a weapon in a building or on property that is properly posted; removes the requirement that the department of safety suspend or revoke a handgun carry permit for a violation of that offense by a handgun permit holder. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

SB 824 removes the criminal penalty for possessing a firearm in a building or on property that is properly posted with signage prohibiting weapons. It also eliminates the requirement for the Department of Safety to suspend or revoke a handgun carry permit for violations of this rule. Property owners who want to restrict firearms must now install metal detectors and employ trained security staff at all public entrances to enforce the ban. This bill affects businesses, venues, and permit holders in Tennessee, taking effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves criminal penalty for firearm possession in posted areas, reducing criminalization and aligning with reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

Track