Judges and Chancellors

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38 and Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to firearms.

Firearms

Active

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

Sponsor: Bailey
Last action: 2026-02-05
Official status: Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Judges and Chancellors: Carrying Firearms

This bill allows certain judges to carry firearms in the same places as law enforcement officers after completing specific training.

What This Bill Does

Allows current or retired chancery, circuit, or appellate court judges who have an enhanced handgun permit and completed required POST-certified firearm training to carry a gun like police officers can.
Requires these judges to complete at least 40 hours of initial firearms training and 8 hours of annual in-service training.
Directs the administrative office of the courts to create a uniform identification system for judges who are qualified to carry firearms.
Requires judges carrying firearms to have this special ID with them all the time when they have their gun.

Who It Names or Affects

Current and retired chancery, circuit, or appellate court judges in Tennessee
The administrative office of the courts

Terms To Know

POST-certified firearms training program: A program that meets standards set by Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) for teaching firearm safety and use.
Enhanced handgun carry permit holder: Someone who has a special permit allowing them to carry a concealed weapon in Tennessee.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if judges do not comply with the training or identification requirements.
It is unclear how this will affect public safety and judicial security beyond the intended benefits for judges.

Bill History

Date Tennessee General Assembly
2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

<BillNo> <Sponsor>

SENATE BILL 2611
By Bailey
SB2611
012106
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38
and Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to
firearms.

WHEREAS, the great State of Tennessee and its citizens are served by the Judicial
branch of this state which contains many elected, appellate, and Governor-appointed judges;
and
WHEREAS, these judges serve under an oath to the Constitutions of the United States
of America and the State of Tennessee and must exercise their sworn duties without fear or
favor; and
WHEREAS, these judges make consequential decisions that impact our fellow citizens
in criminal and civil litigation. These decisions affect people's freedom, finances, property, and
families; and
WHEREAS, threats against judiciary and their families are on the rise not only in
Tennessee but also across the country and continue to be an increasing danger; and
WHEREAS, currently, judges face restrictions on where they can exercise their right to
carry firearms, making them and their families more vulnerable and unsafe; and
WHEREAS, judges entrusted with the faith and confidence of the voting public and the
Governor should be entrusted with the responsibility of safely carrying firearms throughout more
locations in Tennessee; now, therefore,
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 new section:
(a) A current or former chancery, circuit, or appellate court judge, who is an
enhanced handgun carry permit holder, pursuant to § 39-17-1351, and has completed

- 2 - 012106

the training required in subsection (b) is authorized to carry a firearm in the same
manner and locations that a law enforcement officer may carry a firearm under § 39-17-
1350.
(b) In order to carry a firearm pursuant to this section, a judge must successfully
complete firearms training in accordance with POST (peace officer standards and
training) certification, which must include, at a minimum, forty (40) hours initial training
and eight (8) hours annual in-service training in firearms qualification administered by a
POST-certified firearms training program.
(c) The administrative office of the courts shall develop a uniform identification
system clearly identifying that a judge is qualified under this section to carry a firearm. A
judge authorized to carry a firearm under this section shall carry the identification at all
times the judge is carrying a firearm.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.