Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 599: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class A misdemeanor for knowingly giving, selling, lending, delivering, or otherwise transferring a firearm to a person when the transferor knows or reasonably should know that the person receiving the firearm is prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm under state or federal law. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 599 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly give, sell, lend, deliver, or transfer a firearm to someone prohibited from buying or possessing a firearm under state or federal law. This applies when the transferor knows or should reasonably know the recipient is prohibited, such as someone with a felony conviction or active restraining order. Violations carry penalties for the person transferring the firearm, not the recipient. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, for all firearm transfers after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor for illegal firearm transfers, expanding criminalization of firearm-related offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 949: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, creates a criminal offense of storing or keeping a firearm in any place if the firearm is not secured in a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock or other safety device that is properly engaged so as to render the firearm inoperable by any person other than the owner or another lawfully authorized user; punishes a violation of the offense as a Class A misdemeanor. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 949 requires all firearm owners in Tennessee to store firearms in a locked container or equipped with a safety device that renders them inoperable to unauthorized users. This applies to firearms kept in any location, except when carried by the owner or a lawfully authorized user. Violating this rule is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months in jail or a fine. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for firearm storage, expanding criminalization under criminal justice framework90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

Track

failed · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 1390: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, allows a court to issue an extreme risk protection order upon a finding by clear and convincing evidence that a person poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to the person or others if allowed to possess or purchase a firearm; authorizes a law enforcement officer or relative to file a petition for an extreme risk protection order; creates an offense to store or keep a firearm in any place unless the firearm is secured in a locked container, unloaded, and separate from ammunition except when the firearm is carried by or under the control of the owner or other lawfully authorized user; prohibits a gun dealer from delivering a firearm to a purchaser until 15 business days after the completion of certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 38 and Title 39, Chapter 17.

HB 1390 would allow Tennessee courts to issue extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed to pose a significant danger of causing personal injury to themselves or others. Petitions for ERPOs can be filed by law enforcement officers or close relatives, requiring clear and convincing evidence of danger before a court acts. The bill also mandates that firearms be stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition (except when carried by the owner), and requires gun dealers to delay firearm deliveries for 15 business days to complete background checks. These provisions directly affect firearm owners, law enforcement, gun dealers, and individuals subject to ERPO petitions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHB 1390 establishes ERPOs to prevent gun violence via court intervention, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing harm through proactive safety measures.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1129: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class E felony that is committed when a person exercises control over a motor vehicle knowing that the person does not have the permission of the owner of the motor vehicle; creates a Class A misdemeanor of possessing a firearm that the person knows or reasonably should know has been stolen. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 1129 creates two new criminal offenses in Tennessee: (1) a Class E felony for controlling a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission (even if not intending to steal it), and (2) a Class A misdemeanor for possessing a firearm known to be stolen. It directly affects individuals who unlawfully take vehicles or possess stolen firearms, with penalties based on the specific violation. The bill amends Tennessee’s criminal code to define these acts clearly, specifying that unauthorized vehicle control is a felony while stolen firearm possession is a misdemeanor. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and is currently pending review by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates stricter penalties (Class E felony for vehicle control, Class A misdemeanor for stolen firearms), expanding criminalization per indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 163: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for reckless endangerment when the offense is committed by discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a motor vehicle from a Class E felony to a Class C felony, if the motor vehicle is occupied, or a Class D felony, if the motor vehicle is unoccupied. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1.

SB 163 increases penalties for reckless endangerment involving discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a motor vehicle in Tennessee. If the vehicle is occupied, the offense becomes a Class C felony (up from Class E); if unoccupied, it becomes a Class D felony. The bill directly affects anyone who fires a gun into a vehicle, raising criminal consequences based on whether occupants were present. It amends Tennessee Code § 39-13-103 to clarify these penalty levels, effective July 1, 2025. The change applies specifically to motor vehicles as defined by state law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases felony penalties for firearm discharge into vehicles, expanding criminalization and raising mandatory sentences without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 1253: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, creates the offense of carrying or possessing a firearm, including a firearm that was privately assembled and does not contain a serial number or other mark that conforms with federal law, if, at the time of carrying or possessing, the person is not a citizen of the United States or a lawful permanent resident. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 55, Chapter 50.

SB 1253 creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense for individuals who carry or possess a privately assembled firearm without a serial number (or other federal-compliant mark) if they are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The bill directly affects non-citizens and non-permanent residents in Tennessee who possess such firearms, as defined by the law. Key provisions amend Tennessee Code § 39-17-1307 to prohibit this specific conduct, referencing federal firearm marking requirements under 18 U.S.C. § 923(i). The law would take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor for non-citizens possessing unmarked firearms, expanding criminalization without reform focus or defendant protections.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationCreates Class A misdemeanor for non-citizens possessing unmarked firearms, restricting access based on immigration status per bill's explicit criteria.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 1210: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, requires, if the respondent on an order of protection dispossesses firearms by transferring possession to a third party who is not prohibited from possessing firearms, the respondent to specify the third party and the physical address where all firearms are located on the affidavit of firearms dispossession form; requires the third party to sign the affidavit of firearms dispossession form to acknowledge receipt of the firearms. - Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 3, Part 6.

This bill requires individuals under domestic violence protection orders who transfer firearms to a third party (not prohibited from owning guns) to list the third party's name and full address on the firearms dispossession form. It also mandates that the third party sign the form to confirm receipt of the firearms. The changes apply specifically to cases where firearms are transferred rather than surrendered to law enforcement. The bill aims to create a clear, documented record of firearm transfers in domestic violence cases to enhance safety transparency. (Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 3, Part 6)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds accountability in firearm transfers under domestic violence orders, preventing prohibited access to firearms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 312: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class A misdemeanor for recklessly storing a firearm in a manner that a person knows or reasonably should know will allow a child younger than 18 years of age to access the firearm and the child brings the firearm to a school. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 312 creates a Class A misdemeanor for firearm owners who store guns in a way that allows children under 18 to access them, specifically when a child brings the firearm to school. It directly affects firearm owners in Tennessee who fail to secure guns safely, such as leaving them in unlocked vehicles or unsecured areas where minors could reach them. The law defines "school" broadly to include buildings, buses, campuses, athletic fields, and other properties operated by educational institutions. Violating this law results in a misdemeanor charge, not a felony, with no mention of enhanced penalties for the child or school. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor for firearm storage negligence, expanding criminalization of owner behavior rather than advancing reform or accountability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 830: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, specifies that the offense of reckless endangerment includes a person who recklessly discharges a firearm into the air while in a densely populated area; provides that a densely populated area may be proven by evidence of the population of the city or county, housing density in the immediate area of the offense, the number of persons present at the time of the offense, or any other evidence. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 830 amends Tennessee's reckless endangerment law (TCA Title 39) to specifically make it a crime to recklessly discharge a firearm into the air in crowded places. It directly affects individuals who point guns toward the sky in areas with many people, such as parks or city centers. The bill defines "densely populated area" using measurable evidence like local population data, housing density, or the number of people present at the time. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by explicitly defining reckless firearm discharge in crowded areas as a new offense under reckless endangerment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 856: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, lowers the standard for the use of deadly force to protect property; specifies that deadly force does not include the display of a weapon, the brandishing of a weapon, or the use of force in circumstances that do not result in death or serious bodily injury. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 856 (Tennessee House Bill 856) would amend Tennessee law to lower the standard for using deadly force in property protection cases. It allows deadly force to prevent property crimes like trespass, theft, or burglary if a person reasonably believes other methods would fail or risk death/serious injury to themselves or others. The bill specifically defines "deadly force" to exclude merely displaying or brandishing a weapon, or using force that doesn’t cause death or serious injury. These changes directly affect property owners and law enforcement responding to property-related incidents under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-11-614 and 39-11-106.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill explicitly lowers standard for deadly force in property cases, expanding circumstances where deadly force is permitted - contradicting criminal justice reform trends focused on limiting excessive force and protecting civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

Track