Tennessee Senate Bill SB0903

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/25
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 54; Title 38, Chapter 3, Part 1 and Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, relative to the transfer of firearms.

Summary

SB0903 would create a new Tennessee law regulating most private firearm transfers. It generally prohibits a person from selling, transferring, purchasing, or obtaining ownership of a firearm unless the transaction is conducted by or through a licensed gun dealer and a receipt is obtained, or unless the transfer falls within one of several listed exceptions. Those exceptions include antique firearms, transfers between gun dealers or wholesalers and dealers, transfers to law enforcement or military agencies, certain gifts or inheritances to qualifying family members, and temporary transfers made for a lawful purpose. The bill defines “family member” broadly to include spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and grandchildren, whether related by blood, marriage, or adoption. It also defines “gun dealer” by reference to federal law. A person who intentionally violates the new transfer rules would commit a Class B misdemeanor, face a fine of $500 to $10,000, possible jail time of up to nine months, and lose firearm possession rights for two years. The act was set to take effect July 1, 2025.

Impact

The bill would amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 by adding a new section governing firearm transfers, and it also references Title 4, Chapter 54 and Title 38, Chapter 3, Part 1 in the caption. In practical terms, it would significantly restrict private gun sales and transfers in Tennessee by requiring dealer involvement for most ownership transfers, while preserving limited exceptions for family transfers, antiques, temporary transfers, and transfers involving government or commercial firearm businesses. It would also create new criminal penalties and a temporary firearm disability for violators.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests the bill faced strong opposition and little support in committee. It failed in the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 2-6, indicating that the proposal did not advance out of committee. No transcript discussion was provided, but the committee result points to a generally unfavorable reception among members.

Contention

The main point of contention is the bill’s broad restriction on private firearm transfers, especially the requirement that most transfers go through a gun dealer. Supporters would likely view the measure as a way to increase oversight and reduce unlawful gun transfers, while opponents would likely object to the burden on lawful private sales and transfers, the criminal penalties, and the potential impact on ordinary gun owners. The family-transfer exception and temporary-transfer exception narrow the bill somewhat, but the core dealer-through requirement appears to be the central issue dividing support and opposition.