Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1757: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates an offense of recklessly discharging a firearm into the air, ground, a body of water, or an object in close proximity to the person if the firearm is discharged at a place of public gathering or at a public event where there are at least 25 people in attendance at the time of the discharge; punishes the offense as a Class A misdemeanor; specifies certain exceptions to the offense. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 1757 creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense for recklessly discharging a firearm into the air, ground, water, or an object near people at public gatherings or events with at least 25 attendees. It directly affects individuals who recklessly fire guns in these settings, such as during concerts, sports events, or festivals. Key exceptions include law enforcement officers acting in duty, military personnel, wildlife officers, and situations involving self-defense against animal attacks. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor for reckless firearm discharge at public gatherings, expanding criminalization without reform indicators like reduced sentences or enhanced rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1851: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, removes certain criminal offenses relative to the possession and carrying of firearms, including the offense of carrying a firearm with the intent to go armed if the person has been convicted of stalking or DUI in certain circumstances and the offense of possession of a firearm by a person under 25 if the person was adjudicated delinquent for certain offenses as a juvenile; removes the offense of possessing or carrying a weapon in a public park, playground, civic center, or other public recreational area; makes various other changes relative to the possession and carrying of firearms. - Amends TCA Title 16; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49 and Title 65.

SB 1851 removes three specific criminal prohibitions related to firearm possession in Tennessee. It eliminates penalties for carrying a firearm with intent to go armed if someone has certain stalking or DUI convictions under defined circumstances. It also removes the ban on firearm possession for people under 25 who were adjudicated delinquent for specific juvenile offenses. Additionally, the bill repeals the prohibition against carrying weapons in public parks, playgrounds, and other recreational areas. These changes amend multiple sections of Tennessee's firearm laws (TCA Titles 16, 36-40, 49, and 65).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves firearm possession prohibitions for specific offenses, reducing criminalization and aligning with criminal justice reform goals by expanding rights for certain individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1802: 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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill lowers threshold for deadly force in property disputes, expanding circumstances where lethal force is permitted, opposing reform efforts to reduce excessive force in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Violent Crime

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1982: Sentencing - As introduced, states that there is a rebuttable presumption that a defendant convicted of aggravated assault is not a favorable candidate for probation if the offense involved the use or display of a firearm during the commission of the offense. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 35.

SB 1982 changes probation eligibility for defendants convicted of aggravated assault involving a firearm in Tennessee. It creates a rebuttable presumption that such defendants are not good candidates for probation, meaning courts would start with the assumption they don't qualify unless the defendant provides evidence to the contrary. This applies specifically to aggravated assault cases under Tennessee Code § 39-13-102 where a firearm was used or displayed during the offense. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates rebuttable presumption against probation for aggravated assault with firearm, restricting defendant rights and increasing incarceration likelihood, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Sentencing Violent Crime

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Sep 11, 2025

HB 883: 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.

HB 883 changes Tennessee law to extend the timeframe for handgun permit holders to seek court review after their permit is suspended or revoked. Specifically, it increases the window from 30 to 45 days to petition a chancery court regarding the Tennessee Department of Safety's decision. This directly affects individuals whose carry permits have been suspended or revoked under state law. The amendment applies to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39, Section 39-17-1354(a), and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends judicial review window for permit holders, protecting due process rights in criminal justice context per TCA 39-17-1354(a).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms

Track

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 1093: Firearms and Ammunition - As enacted, expands the definition of "machine gun" to include any part, or combination of parts, designed and intended solely for use in converting a firearm into a machine gun; increases the classification for the intentional or knowing possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale of a machine gun from a Class E to a Class C felony; reclassifies certain other offenses involving the possession of firearm or handgun ammunition; makes a defendant ineligible for parole if convicted of aggravated assault that involved the use of a firearm from within a motor vehicle. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1093 amends Tennessee law to strengthen firearm regulations. It expands the definition of "machine gun" to include parts designed solely to convert a firearm into a machine gun, and increases penalties for possessing, making, or selling such devices from a Class E to a Class C felony. The bill also changes penalties for other gun-related offenses and makes defendants ineligible for parole if convicted of aggravated assault involving a firearm used from within a vehicle. These changes apply to Tennessee residents and anyone violating these provisions within the state. The law took effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands machine gun definition, increases felony penalties, and removes parole eligibility for firearm-related aggravated assault - harsher sentencing aligns with opposition to criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Probation & Parole

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1075: Firearms and Ammunition - As enacted, expands the definition of "machine gun" to include any part, or combination of parts, designed and intended solely for use in converting a firearm into a machine gun; increases the classification for the intentional or knowing possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale of a machine gun from a Class E to a Class C felony; reclassifies certain other offenses involving the possession of firearm or handgun ammunition; makes a defendant ineligible for parole if convicted of aggravated assault that involved the use of a firearm from within a motor vehicle. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1075 (enacted as Public Chapter 513) amends Tennessee law to expand the definition of "machine gun" to include parts designed solely for converting firearms into machine guns. It upgrades the felony classification for machine gun possession, manufacture, or sale from Class E to Class C and reclassifies certain firearm ammunition offenses. The bill also makes defendants ineligible for parole if convicted of aggravated assault involving a firearm used from a motor vehicle. These changes directly affect individuals possessing machine guns or specific firearm-related offenses in Tennessee, with the law taking effect upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of firearm offenses, upgrades felony classifications, and removes parole eligibility for firearm-related aggravated assault, increasing penalties and restricting defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Probation & Parole

Track

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 657: 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.

SB 657 amends Tennessee's racketeering law (TCA §39-12-203) to explicitly include organized retail crime, firearm possession during dangerous felonies, and carjacking as racketeering activities. This change directly affects individuals committing these specific offenses, making them subject to enhanced penalties under racketeering statutes. The bill adds new definitions to the law (effective July 1, 2025) and clarifies that carjacking is now explicitly covered under racketeering. It does not create new crimes but reclassifies existing offenses for prosecution under racketeering provisions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by adding organized retail crime, firearm possession during felonies, and carjacking to racketeering definitions, subjecting them to enhanced penalties and increasing mandatory sentences.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1098: 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.

HB 1098 would make it a Class A misdemeanor to carry or possess a privately made firearm without a serial number (or other federal-compliant mark) if the person is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. This bill directly affects non-citizens and non-permanent residents who possess such firearms, which are typically homemade and lack federally required markings. The law would apply to firearms assembled outside commercial channels, creating a new criminal offense under Tennessee law. The bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor for non-citizens possessing unmarked firearms, expanding criminalization of firearm possession without reform focus.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts non-citizens from possessing unmarked firearms, directly targeting immigration status with new criminal penalties for non-citizens/non-permanent residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 957: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, prohibits the possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale of a switch or auto sear device designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of converting a weapon to shoot automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger unless certain exceptions apply. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

SB 957 bans the possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale of "switch or auto sear devices" that convert firearms to shoot multiple rounds automatically with a single trigger pull - without manual reloading. This directly affects individuals and businesses handling such devices, including gun owners, dealers, and manufacturers. The bill amends Tennessee's firearm laws to add these devices to prohibited items, with limited exceptions, and classifies violations as a Class E felony. It will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by banning specific firearm devices and classifying violations as a Class E felony, increasing penalties and expanding criminal law scope without reform intent.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

Track