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

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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

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 388: Bail, Bail Bonds - As introduced, requires a court or magistrate to impose global positioning monitoring as a condition of release for a defendant accused of certain offenses, unless the court or magistrate enters written findings that the defendant does not pose a threat to the victim or public safety; requires the administrative office of the courts to compile an annual report of the number of defendants subject to such an order. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40; Title 55; Chapter 969 of the Public Acts of 2024 and Chapter 1033 of the Public Acts of 2024.

SB 388 requires courts to mandate GPS tracking for defendants accused of specific offenses - such as firearm use, domestic assault, vehicle burglary, reckless driving, drag racing, or repeat crimes - during pretrial release, unless the court documents in writing that the defendant poses no threat to victims or public safety. It applies to defendants awaiting trial for these listed offenses, directly affecting their release conditions. Courts must report monthly data on GPS orders to the Administrative Office of the Courts, which will compile an annual report for legislative committees by July 1 each year. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, amending Tennessee Code sections related to criminal procedure and bail.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates GPS monitoring for pretrial release in specific offenses, restricting defendant rights without clear reform intent; aligns with 'reduces defendant rights' indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Judges

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 243: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 40.

SB 243 creates a Class E felony for altering, defacing, or removing a firearm's permanent serial number or distinguishing mark, or for selling, purchasing, or possessing such a modified firearm. It directly affects individuals who tamper with firearm identification or handle firearms with altered markings. The bill imposes a mandatory minimum 180-day prison sentence for violations, with no possibility of early release. This law amends Tennessee Code sections covering criminal offenses related to firearms and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory 180-day sentence for firearm serial number alteration, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per Criminal Justice indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Sentencing

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 1407: 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.

SB 1407 would amend Tennessee law to allow the use of deadly force to protect property, such as preventing burglary, theft, or damage to livestock, under specific conditions. It directly affects property owners and occupants who face intruders or property crimes. Key changes include lowering the standard for deadly force (requiring only a reasonable belief that force is necessary to stop the crime), defining "deadly force" to exclude merely displaying or brandishing a weapon, and updating legal references to include property protection under self-defense statutes. The bill would not permit deadly force if less lethal options are available to protect the property or if the force used wouldn’t cause death or serious injury.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill lowers standard for deadly force in property crimes, expanding use of force without requiring death/injury, opposing reforms that limit excessive force use.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 587: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, adds organized retail crime and possession or employment of a firearm during the commission of or attempt to commit a dangerous felony to the definition of racketeering activity; clarifies that carjacking is a racketeering activity. - Amends TCA Title 39.

This Tennessee bill (HB 587) expands the state's definition of racketeering activity to include organized retail crime (like large-scale shoplifting) and carrying a firearm during a dangerous felony. It also explicitly adds carjacking to the list of activities classified as racketeering. These changes will affect law enforcement investigations and prosecutions of these specific crimes. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding organized retail crime, firearm possession during felonies, and carjacking to racketeering definitions, increasing penalties for these offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement

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died · Tennessee · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 33: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, establishes a presumption that a defendant should not be released on the defendant’s personal recognizance if the defendant is charged with a felony offense that involved the use or display of a firearm or resulted in the serious bodily injury or death of the victim; requires a magistrate who determines that the presumption has been rebutted to include in the bail order written findings for each factor considered in making such a determination. - Amends TCA Title 40.

HB 33 establishes a new rule for pretrial release in Tennessee: defendants charged with offenses involving firearm use/display or causing serious injury/death are presumed not to be released on their own promise to return to court (personal recognizance). This directly affects individuals facing these specific charges during initial court hearings. If a judge decides to override this presumption, they must provide written reasons for each factor considered in their decision. The bill amends Tennessee law to take effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts pretrial release for firearm/serious injury offenses, requiring judicial justification to override presumption, reducing defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Judges

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died · Tennessee · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 588: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 40.

HB 588 creates a new Class E felony for altering, covering, defacing, destroying, or removing a firearm's permanent serial number or other distinguishing mark, or for selling, buying, or possessing such a modified firearm. It directly affects individuals who tamper with firearm identification or handle altered guns. The bill imposes a mandatory 180-day prison sentence for violations, with no eligibility for early release. If passed, the law would take effect on July 1, 2025, and amend Tennessee’s criminal code sections related to firearms and offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates mandatory 180-day sentence for firearm serial number tampering, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Sentencing

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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

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 10, 2025

SB 250: 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.

SB 250 creates a Class A misdemeanor for adults who recklessly store firearms in a way that allows a child under 18 to access them, and the child later brings the firearm to a school. It directly affects firearm owners - such as parents or guardians - who fail to secure guns safely, knowing or reasonably should know a child could reach them. The law defines "school" broadly to include buildings, buses, campuses, athletic fields, and other school-owned properties. Violating this law carries penalties for the person who stored the firearm recklessly, not the child. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor for firearm storage, expanding criminalization rather than advancing reform or reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enhances school safety by penalizing unsafe firearm storage that could lead to children bringing guns to school, directly protecting educational environments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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