Tennessee Senate Bill SB0043

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/7/25
• Failed: 2/3/26

Caption

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

Summary

SB0043 would amend Tennessee’s firearms laws to create a new exception to the offense of unlawful carrying of a handgun. Under the bill, a person who is at least 21 years old, or at least 18 years old and meets certain military-related criteria, could openly or concealed carry a handgun so long as the person lawfully possesses the firearm and is in a place where they may lawfully be. The 18-year-old category would include honorably discharged or retired veterans, certain honorably discharged reserve members who completed basic training, and active-duty or current reserve members who completed basic training. The bill also gives county legislative bodies the option to opt out of this carrying exception by adopting a resolution. If a county opts out, the exception would not apply within that county’s boundaries, and the county would be required to post notice in public locations. The bill further amends the list of offenses that can support a weapons-related charge to include unlawful carrying under the new county opt-out provision. The act is set to take effect July 1, 2025.

Impact

This bill would change Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-1307 by adding a new statewide carry exception for adults 21 and older, and for certain 18- to 20-year-old military-connected individuals, while also creating a county-level local option to prohibit that exception through resolution. It would also amend § 39-17-1314 to make carrying in violation of a county opt-out resolution an offense under the state’s weapons laws. The practical effect is to broaden lawful handgun carry for many adults, but preserve a mechanism for counties to restrict that carry within their borders.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests the bill faced significant opposition in committee and did not advance, failing in the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 2 yeas to 6 nays. No committee transcript was provided, so there is no recorded debate to indicate support or opposition arguments in detail. Based on the vote, the overall sentiment appears unfavorable in committee, likely reflecting concern about expanding handgun carry and the local-option structure.

Contention

The main point of contention is the bill’s expansion of lawful handgun carry to younger adults and military-connected 18-year-olds, which opponents may view as loosening firearm restrictions. A second issue is the county opt-out provision: supporters may see it as a compromise preserving local control, while opponents may object to the patchwork effect of county-by-county regulation or, conversely, may view the opt-out as insufficient. The bill’s inclusion of active-duty service members, reserve members, veterans, and retired veterans as eligible 18-year-olds also suggests debate over whether military status should create an exception to the general age threshold.