Criminal Justice (Firearms)

died · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 159: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for reckless endangerment committed by discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a motor vehicle from a Class E felony to a Class C felony, unless the motor vehicle was unoccupied at the time of the offense, in which event it is a Class D felony. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1.

HB 159, introduced in Tennessee but withdrawn on February 5, 2025, would have increased penalties for reckless endangerment involving firearms. Specifically, it proposed raising the penalty for discharging a firearm (including antique firearms) into an *occupied* motor vehicle from a Class E felony to a Class C felony. If the vehicle was unoccupied at the time, the offense would have remained a Class D felony. The bill directly affected individuals who recklessly fire into vehicles, aiming to strengthen criminal penalties for this specific dangerous act.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for firearm-related reckless endangerment, raising felony class from E to C for occupied vehicles, making punishment harsher per sentencing indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 2, 2025

HB 478: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, specifies that a person does not commit an offense if the person possesses or carries a firearm into an area that is posted if, upon the request of an individual authorized to control access to the property, the person immediately leaves the property or stores the firearm in a personal vehicle in accordance with state law. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 478 clarifies that a person does not commit a crime if they carry a firearm into an area where firearms are prohibited (e.g., posted private property) and either immediately leaves upon request by the property owner or stores the firearm in their vehicle as required by state law (TCA § 39-17-1313). The bill directly affects individuals carrying firearms on private property where guns are banned, such as businesses or events with posted restrictions. It modifies existing law (TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13) to explicitly exempt compliant behavior from criminal liability. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing firearm possession laws or create new restrictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill limits criminal liability for firearm possession on private property by creating exceptions, reducing law enforcement's ability to prosecute under TCA § 39-17-1313.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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