Criminal Justice (Firearms)

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 578: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, adds certain criminal offenses to the list of dangerous felonies for purposes of the offense of possessing a firearm or antique firearm during commission or attempt to commit a dangerous felony. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 578 expands Tennessee's list of "dangerous felonies" to include new offenses like human trafficking, aggravated stalking, methamphetamine manufacturing, and drug trafficking. This change means that if someone possesses a firearm (including antique firearms) while committing or attempting any of these newly listed crimes, they face enhanced penalties. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these specific offenses who own firearms, increasing legal consequences for firearm possession during such crimes. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-1324 to add 14 new offenses to the existing dangerous felony list, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands dangerous felonies to include human trafficking/drug trafficking, imposing harsher firearm possession penalties. Increases mandatory sentences and expands criminalization, opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

died · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 58: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires an employing law enforcement agency to contact any prior law enforcement agency that employed the agency's officer or special deputy as part of the thorough investigation into the person's good moral character. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 8.

HB 58 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies to contact a job candidate's previous law enforcement employers as part of verifying their "good moral character" during hiring. This applies directly to police departments and sheriff's offices when vetting new officers or special deputies. The bill amends Tennessee law to mandate this specific step in the background check process. As a procedural change to hiring requirements, it does not alter substantive law or create new penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires prior employer contact for officer vetting, enhancing accountability in law enforcement hiring per bill's procedural change to background checks.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 218: 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.

SB 218 creates a presumption that defendants charged with offenses involving firearm use/display or causing serious injury/death should not be released on personal recognizance before trial. This directly affects individuals facing these specific charges and requires magistrates to document written reasoning if they override this presumption. The bill mandates that magistrates include specific written findings for each factor considered when determining bail, rather than relying on general discretion. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-11-115 and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates presumption against release for firearm/violent offenses, restricting defendant rights and increasing pretrial detention, opposing reform trends that reduce unnecessary detention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Judges

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 944: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, prohibits the possession of an assault weapon; directs those in possession of an assault weapon before July 1, 2025, to apply for a certificate of possession; creates the Class E felony offense of purchasing, selling, possessing, or using a part, component, device, or attachment designed to accelerate the fire of a semiautomatic rifle and makes any semiautomatic rifle that includes an accelerated fire part, component, or device a prohibited weapon. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 54; Section 38-3-119 and Title 39, Chapter 17.

HB 944 prohibits the possession of specific firearms defined as "assault weapons" (including models like AR-15s, AK-47s, and certain semiautomatic rifles/pistols) in Tennessee. It requires current owners to apply for a "certificate of possession" by July 1, 2025, to legally retain these weapons. The bill also creates a Class E felony for purchasing, selling, or possessing parts designed to accelerate fire in semiautomatic rifles, making any rifle equipped with such parts a "prohibited weapon." This directly affects Tennessee residents owning the listed firearms or related components.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates Class E felony for firearm parts, expanding criminalization of gun ownership under criminal justice framework95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 585: Finance and Administration, Dept. of - As introduced, allows the department, office of criminal justice programs, to use available existing resources to seek appropriate funding and resources from the federal and state governments to design and implement grants to reduce gun violence in this state. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 38; Title 39; Title 47 and Title 68.

SB 585 allows Tennessee's Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Criminal Justice Programs, to use existing resources and seek federal or state funding to design and implement grants targeting gun violence reduction. The bill defines "gun violence" as homicide, violent crime, and domestic violence for these grant programs. It does not create new state funding but provides a mechanism for the department to access existing and additional resources to support community-based violence prevention initiatives. This legislation directly affects the department's ability to address gun violence through grant programs without requiring new legislative appropriations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables grants for gun violence reduction through community programs, aligning with criminal justice reform by addressing homicide and violent crime via existing resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms Violent Crime

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introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 24, 2025

HB 566: Finance and Administration, Dept. of - As introduced, allows the department, office of criminal justice programs, to use available existing resources to seek appropriate funding and resources from the federal and state governments to design and implement grants to reduce gun violence in this state. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 38; Title 39; Title 47 and Title 68.

HB 566 allows Tennessee's Department of Finance and Administration and the Office of Criminal Justice Programs to use existing resources and seek additional federal or state funding to design and implement grants targeting gun violence reduction. The bill specifically defines "gun violence" as homicide, violent crime, and domestic violence, and amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to enable this funding mechanism. It does not create new spending but directs state agencies to leverage current resources and pursue external funding for grant programs. The bill directly affects state agencies managing criminal justice programs and communities impacted by gun violence through potential grant-supported initiatives.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds gun violence reduction grants via existing resources, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to address homicide and violent crime.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 993: Handgun Permits - As introduced, extends the time, from 30 days to 60 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 4; Title 8; Title 10; Title 29; Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 50 and Title 70.

SB 993 extends the deadline for individuals with suspended or revoked handgun permits to request court review of the decision from 30 to 60 days. This change directly affects permit holders whose permits were suspended or revoked by the Tennessee Department of Safety. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (Titles 4, 8, 10, 29, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 49, 50, and 70) to update this review period, providing more time for affected individuals to seek judicial review.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends judicial review window for permit holders, enhancing due process rights in criminal justice proceedings related to firearm permits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 824: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, removes the criminal offense of possession of a weapon in a building or on property that is properly posted; removes the requirement that the department of safety suspend or revoke a handgun carry permit for a violation of that offense by a handgun permit holder. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

SB 824 removes the criminal penalty for possessing a firearm in a building or on property that is properly posted with signage prohibiting weapons. It also eliminates the requirement for the Department of Safety to suspend or revoke a handgun carry permit for violations of this rule. Property owners who want to restrict firearms must now install metal detectors and employ trained security staff at all public entrances to enforce the ban. This bill affects businesses, venues, and permit holders in Tennessee, taking effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves criminal penalty for firearm possession in posted areas, reducing criminalization and aligning with reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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