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SB1253 • 2026

Firearms and Ammunition

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 55, Chapter 50, relative to firearms.

Crime Firearms
Active

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

Sponsor
Lamar, Towns
Last action
2025-04-01
Official status
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Judiciary Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Firearms and Ammunition Act

This bill makes it illegal for non-U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to carry or possess certain types of firearms in Tennessee.

What This Bill Does

  • Creates a new law that says carrying or possessing a firearm without a serial number is against the rules if you are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
  • Defines a privately assembled firearm as one that does not have a serial number or other mark required by federal laws for licensed manufacturers and importers of firearms.
  • Makes it a Class A misdemeanor to break this new law, which is a serious offense.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Non-U.S. citizens
  • People who are not lawful permanent residents

Terms To Know

Class A misdemeanor
A type of crime that is more serious than a regular misdemeanor and can lead to jail time.
Serial number
A unique set of numbers assigned to each firearm by the manufacturer or importer.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if someone breaks this law.
  • It is unclear how local governments will be affected financially by enforcing this new rule.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  2. 2026-01-28 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 2/4/2026

  3. 2026-01-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Meeting Canceled

  4. 2026-01-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 1/28/2026

  5. 2025-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Judiciary Committee

  6. 2025-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to First Calendar of 2026

  7. 2025-03-31 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  8. 2025-03-31 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  9. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  10. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  11. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  12. 2025-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  13. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

  14. 2025-02-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee

  15. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  16. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee

  17. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  18. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  19. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

This bill establishes a Class A misdemeanor for a person
who knowingly carries or possesses a firearm, including a firearm that w
as privately assembled and does not contain a serial number or other mark in a manner that conforms with the requirements imposed on licensed importers and licensed manufacturers of firearms pursuant to
federal law
, and, at the time of possessing or carryi
ng, is not a citizen of the United States or a lawful permanent resident
.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HOUSE BILL 1098
By Towns

SENATE BILL 1253
By Lamar

SB1253
003134
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39,
Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 55, Chapter 50,
relative to firearms.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1307, is amended by adding
the following as a new subsection:
(k)
(1) A person commits an offense who knowingly carries or possesses a
firearm, including a firearm that was privately assembled and does not contain a
serial number or other mark in a manner that conforms with the requirements
imposed on licensed importers and licensed manufacturers of firearms pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. § 923(i), and, at the time of possessing or carrying, is not a citizen of
the United States or a lawful permanent resident, as defined by § 55-50-102.
(2) An offense under subdivision (k)(1) is a Class A misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, the public welfare requiring it.