Firearms and Ammunition

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not specify penalties for violating the new law, leaving enforcement details unclear.

Reckless Bullet Prevention Act

This bill makes it illegal for people to recklessly shoot guns into the air, ground, water, or objects near others in public places and requires handgun safety courses to include information about this new law starting July 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

• Creates a new crime called reckless discharge of a firearm as a Class A misdemeanor.
• Outlines exceptions where discharging a gun is allowed, such as for police officers doing their job or during hunting with proper permits.
• Requires handgun safety courses to include information about the new law starting July 1, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who carry firearms in Tennessee
• Individuals taking handgun safety courses for permits

Terms To Know

Class A misdemeanor

A serious crime that can result in jail time and fines.

Handgun carry permit

A document allowing someone to legally carry a handgun in public.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify penalties for violating the new law.
• It is unclear how strictly this law will be enforced or what the consequences might be for violators.

Official Summary Text

This bill creates a Class A misdemeanor offense for a
person who
, on or after July 1, 2026,
recklessly discharges a firearm into the air, the ground, a body of water, or an object in proximity to the person if the firearm is discharged at a place where other people are or may be present.
However, this offense
does not apply if the firearm is discharged
in any of the following situations:



By an officer of this state, or a county, city, or town, charged with the enforcement of the laws of this state, when in the discharge of the officer's official duties
.


By persons employed by the army, air force, navy, space force, coast guard, or marine service of the United States or a member of the Tennessee national guard when in the discharge of the person's official duties and acting under orders requiring the person to carry a firearm
.


As required by an animal control officer, rabies control officer, or Tennessee wildlife resources agency (TWRA) officer when in the discharge of the officer's official duties
.


To lawfully take wildlife by permit or license during an open season established by the Tennessee wildlife resources agency
.


For the control of nuisance wildlife by permit from the TWRA or the United States fish and wildlife service
.


On the property of a public or privately owned sport shooting range
.


In defense of self or another person against an animal attack if a reasonable person would believe that deadly force against the animal is immediately necessary and reasonable under the circumstances to protect oneself or the other person
.


In defense of a domestic animal against an imminent or ongoing animal attack if a reasonable person would believe that deadly force against the animal is immediately necessary and reasonable under the circumstances to protect the domestic animal from attack.

HANDGUN SAFETY COURSES

Present law requires t
he department
of safety to
require an applicant
for a handgun carry permit
to submit proof of the successful completion of a department approved handgun safety course within one year of the date of application.

Beginning July 1, 2026,
this bill requires
all department-approved handgun safety courses
to
include instruction on
the offense described above.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 2379
By Hensley

HOUSE BILL 2575
By Kumar
HB2575
012482
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39,
relative to the discharge of a firearm.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. This act is known and may be cited as the "Reckless Bullet Prevention
Act."
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
39-17-1367.
(a) A person commits an offense who recklessly discharges a firearm into the
air, the ground, a body of water, or an object in proximity to the person if the firearm is
discharged at a place where other people are or may be present.
(b) A violation of subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) This section does not apply if the firearm is discharged:
(1) By an officer of this state, or a county, city, or town, charged with the
enforcement of the laws of this state, when in the discharge of the officer's official
duties;
(2) By persons employed by the army, air force, navy, space force, coast
guard, or marine service of the United States or a member of the Tennessee
national guard when in the discharge of the person's official duties and acting
under orders requiring the person to carry a firearm;
(3) As required by an animal control officer, rabies control officer, or
Tennessee wildlife resources agency (TWRA) officer when in the discharge of
the officer's official duties;

- 2 - 012482

(4) To lawfully take wildlife by permit or license during an open season
established by the Tennessee wildlife resources agency;
(5) For the control of nuisance wildlife by permit from the TWRA or the
United States fish and wildlife service;
(6) On the property of a public or privately owned sport shooting range,
as defined in § 39-17-316;
(7) In defense of self or another person against an animal attack if a
reasonable person would believe that deadly force against the animal is
immediately necessary and reasonable under the circumstances to protect
oneself or the other person; or
(8) In defense of a domestic animal against an imminent or ongoing
animal attack if a reasonable person would believe that deadly force against the
animal is immediately necessary and reasonable under the circumstances to
protect the domestic animal from attack.
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1351(e), is amended by
adding the following language before the last sentence that precedes the numbered list:
Beginning July 1, 2026, all department-approved handgun safety courses must include
instruction on § 39-17-1367.
SECTION 4. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it, and
applies to acts occurring on or after that date.