AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, relative to the discharge of a firearm.
Summary
SB1747 creates a new criminal offense for recklessly discharging a firearm into the air, ground, a body of water, or an object when the discharge occurs at a place of public gathering or public event with at least 25 people present. A violation is classified as a Class A misdemeanor. The bill is aimed at preventing dangerous celebratory or negligent gunfire in crowded settings.
The bill includes several exceptions. It does not apply to law enforcement officers, military personnel acting in the line of duty, certain wildlife officers, lawful hunting or nuisance-wildlife control, use at public or private shooting ranges, or the defense of a person or domestic animal against an animal attack when deadly force is reasonably necessary. It also amends the firearms-related penalty provisions in Tennessee law to reference the new offense.
Impact
The bill adds a new section to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, thereby expanding the state’s criminal firearms laws to specifically address reckless discharge at public gatherings and events. It also updates Section 39-17-1351(e) to include the new offense in the list of firearm-related violations subject to existing penalties or restrictions. The practical effect is to create a new misdemeanor charge for conduct that previously may have been prosecuted under more general criminal or public safety statutes, while preserving lawful and emergency firearm uses.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong overall support, with the Senate Judiciary Committee recommending passage unanimously and the bill passing subsequent floor votes by comfortable margins. The final recorded votes indicate broad bipartisan approval, though not complete unanimity, suggesting the measure was generally viewed as a public safety bill with limited controversy. No committee transcript is available, so the discussion record does not show detailed debate.
Contention
The main policy issue is the balance between public safety and lawful firearm use. Supporters appear to favor the bill as a targeted response to reckless gunfire at crowded events, while any concerns would likely center on whether the law is broad enough to capture dangerous conduct without affecting lawful hunting, range use, or justified defensive shootings. The explicit exemptions for law enforcement, military, wildlife management, hunting, ranges, and animal-defense situations indicate an effort to narrow the bill and reduce potential objections from gun owners and outdoor users.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 55 and Title 65, relative to firearms.