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SB1747 • 2026

Criminal Offenses

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

Crime Firearms
Active

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

Sponsor
Bowling, Rudder
Last action
2026-04-13
Official status
Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide information about specific penalties or enforcement mechanisms, leaving these aspects uncertain.

Law Against Shooting into Air or Ground at Public Gatherings

This bill makes it illegal to recklessly shoot a gun into the air, ground, water, or an object near people during public events with at least 25 attendees, unless done by law enforcement or under specific exceptions.

What This Bill Does

  • Creates a new crime for shooting a gun into the air, ground, water, or an object near people at places where there are at least 25 people gathered.
  • Makes this crime a Class A misdemeanor, which is a serious offense.
  • Exempts law enforcement officers and military personnel from this rule when they are doing their jobs as required by orders.
  • Also allows certain wildlife control activities to be exempted from the new rules.
  • Requires handgun safety courses to include information about these new laws.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who attend public events with at least 25 people present
  • Law enforcement and military personnel
  • Wildlife officers and those involved in wildlife control

Terms To Know

Class A misdemeanor
A serious crime that can lead to jail time.
Public gathering
An event where people come together, like a festival or parade.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if someone breaks this law by accident.
  • It is unclear how the new rules will be enforced at public events.
  • There are no details on penalties for those who do not follow the handgun safety course requirements.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

Amendment 1-0 to HB1757

Plain English: The amendment adds a new law that makes it illegal to recklessly shoot a gun into the air or at objects near people during events with at least 25 attendees, unless done by certain authorized individuals for specific reasons.

  • Adds a new section (39-17-1330) to Tennessee Code Annotated that criminalizes reckless discharge of firearms in public places where there are at least twenty-five people present.
  • Specifies that the offense is classified as a Class A misdemeanor.
  • Lists several exceptions, including discharges by law enforcement and military personnel while on duty, for wildlife control purposes, and self-defense.
  • The amendment text does not specify penalties beyond classifying the violation as a Class A misdemeanor.
Amendment 1-0 to SB1747

Plain English: The amendment adds a new law that makes it illegal to recklessly shoot a gun into the air or at objects near people during events with at least 25 attendees, unless done by authorized officials or in specific situations like self-defense.

  • Adds a new section (39-17-1330) to Tennessee Code Annotated that criminalizes reckless discharge of firearms into the air or objects near people during public gatherings with at least 25 attendees.
  • Specifies that this offense is classified as a Class A misdemeanor.
  • Lists exceptions where discharging a firearm is allowed, such as by law enforcement officers and wildlife control personnel in the course of their duties.
  • The amendment text does not specify penalties beyond classifying the violation as a Class A misdemeanor.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/16/2026

  2. 2026-04-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/14/2026

  3. 2026-04-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

  4. 2026-04-09 Tennessee General Assembly

    Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

  5. 2026-04-09 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  6. 2026-04-09 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 29, Nays 0

  7. 2026-04-09 Tennessee General Assembly

    Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0908)

  8. 2026-04-09 Tennessee General Assembly

    Taken off notice for cal. in Calendar & Rules Committee

  9. 2026-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/9/2026

  10. 2026-04-07 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/9/2026

  11. 2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee

  12. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  13. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0

  14. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/1/2026

  15. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee

  16. 2026-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/25/2026

  17. 2026-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/25/2026

  18. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/24/2026

  19. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/24/2026

  20. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/23/2026

  21. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  22. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/25/2026

  23. 2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Reset on Final calendar of Senate Judiciary Committee

  24. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/16/2026

  25. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/18/2026

  26. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/18/2026

  27. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/11/2026

  28. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

  29. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee

  30. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee

  31. 2026-01-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  32. 2026-01-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  33. 2026-01-20 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  34. 2026-01-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

This bill creates a Class A misdemeanor offense for a person who recklessly discharges a firearm into the air, ground, a body of water, or an object in proximity to the person if the firearm is discharged at a place of public gathering or at a public eve
nt where there are at least 25 people in attendance at the time of the discharge.

However, this bill clarifies that the offense described above does not apply if the firearm is discharged in any of the following situations:



By an officer of the state, or any 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 any member of the Tennessee national guard when in 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.

ON APRIL 9, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1747, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #1 requires a
handgun safety course
required to be completed to receive an enhanced handgun carry permit to include instruction on the provisions in this bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HOUSE BILL 1757
By Rudder

SENATE BILL 1747
By Bowling
SB1747
009294
- 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. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
(a) A person commits an offense who recklessly discharges a firearm into the
air, ground, a body of water, or an object in proximity to the person if the firearm is
discharged at a place of public gathering or at a public event where there are at least
twenty-five (25) people in attendance at the time of the discharge.
(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 the state, or any 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 any member of the Tennessee
national guard when in 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;
(4) To lawfully take wildlife by permit or license during an open season
established by the Tennessee wildlife resources agency;

- 2 - 009294

(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 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.