Tennessee House Bill HB0949

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/10/25

Caption

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

Summary

HB0949 would create a new firearms storage offense in Tennessee law. The bill makes it unlawful to store or keep a firearm anywhere unless it is secured in a locked container or fitted with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock or other safety device that is properly engaged so the firearm cannot be used by anyone other than the owner or another authorized user. It also exempts firearms that are being carried by, or are otherwise under the control of, the owner or another lawful user. A violation of the new storage requirement would be a Class A misdemeanor. The measure would take effect July 1, 2025, and would be added to Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 of the Tennessee Code Annotated, which covers firearms-related offenses. In practical terms, the bill would impose a statewide safe-storage mandate and create criminal liability for noncompliance.

Impact

The bill would amend Tennessee’s firearms code by adding a new offense related to firearm storage and safety devices. It would affect gun owners, households with firearms, and anyone storing firearms in Tennessee by requiring locked storage or an engaged tamper-resistant lock unless the firearm is under the owner’s direct control. The new misdemeanor penalty would give law enforcement and prosecutors a basis to charge violations of the storage requirement.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or partisan sentiment in the available record. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to reflect a gun-safety approach focused on preventing unauthorized access to firearms. Because the bill creates a criminal penalty and imposes a storage mandate, it would likely draw support from gun-safety advocates and scrutiny from gun-rights opponents, but that cannot be confirmed from the supplied materials.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the scope of the storage mandate and the criminal penalty for noncompliance. Supporters would likely emphasize reducing accidental shootings, theft, and unauthorized access, while opponents may argue that the bill burdens lawful gun ownership, raises enforcement concerns, and could criminalize ordinary storage practices. The exemption for firearms under the owner’s control narrows the reach of the bill, but the requirement still applies broadly to firearms kept in homes or other locations.