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HB0949 • 2026

Firearms and Ammunition

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to firearms.

Crime Firearms
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Brooks, Kyle
Last action
2026-03-25
Official status
Taken off notice for cal in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee of Judiciary Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on how local governments will be funded for enforcement, leaving this as an open question.

Firearm Storage Safety Law

This bill makes it a crime to store or keep a firearm unless it is secured with a lock or safety device that keeps unauthorized people from using it.

What This Bill Does

  • Makes storing an unsecured firearm illegal, turning it into a criminal offense.
  • Defines the offense as a Class A misdemeanor.
  • Exempts firearms carried by or under control of authorized users.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who own and store firearms in Tennessee

Terms To Know

Class A misdemeanor
A serious crime that can lead to jail time or fines.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how local governments will be funded for enforcing the law.
  • It is unclear what specific safety devices are considered 'tamper-resistant'.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Taken off notice for cal in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee of Judiciary Committee

  2. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Judiciary Committee

  3. 2026-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rule #83(8) Suspended, to be heard in Senate Judiciary on 3/23/2026

  4. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/25/2026

  5. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  6. 2025-04-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  7. 2025-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Judiciary Committee

  8. 2025-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Taken off notice for cal in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee of Judiciary Committee

  9. 2025-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/2/2025

  10. 2025-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/2/2025

  11. 2025-03-31 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/1/2025

  12. 2025-03-31 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/1/2025

  13. 2025-03-27 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  14. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  15. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 4/2/2025

  16. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 4/2/2025

  17. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/31/2025

  18. 2025-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  19. 2025-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/26/2025

  20. 2025-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/26/2025

  21. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/19/2025

  22. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

  23. 2025-02-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee

  24. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee

  25. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  26. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  27. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor change.

  28. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  29. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  30. 2025-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 1183
By Kyle

HOUSE BILL 949
By Brooks

HB0949
001397
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39,
Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to firearms.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
(a) It is an offense to store or keep a firearm in any place unless the firearm is
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.
(b) A violation of subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) This section does not apply to a firearm that is carried by or under the control
of the owner or other lawfully authorized user.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, the public welfare requiring it.