Firearms and Ammunition - As enacted, lowers the standard for the use of deadly force to protect property. - Amends TCA Title 39.
HB 1802 amends Tennessee law to lower the standard for using deadly force when protecting property. It allows individuals to use deadly force against others committing trespass, arson, property damage (including livestock), burglary, theft, robbery, or animal cruelty if they reasonably believe it is immediately necessary and non-deadly force would risk death or serious injury to themselves or others. The bill explicitly prohibits using deadly force against someone facing away from the defender. This directly affects property owners and residents defending their homes or belongings against certain criminal acts. The law changes existing self-defense protections by expanding the circumstances where deadly force is permitted for property protection.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 22, 2026
Last action May 27, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
30
Key actions
14
Committee
17
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/9/2026
lower
Apr 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 4/8/2026
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/7/2026
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Committee
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/1/2026
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/25/2026
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/25/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/11/2026
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/4/2026
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/4/2026
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 2/18/2026
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Kip Capley
RRepublican
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