Tennessee House Bill HB2352

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/24
• Refer: 2/1/24
• Failed: 3/19/24

Caption

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

Impact

HB2352 establishes penalties for non-compliance with the new reporting requirement. A first violation incurs a civil penalty of up to five hundred dollars, while any subsequent violations escalate to a Class B misdemeanor. This tiered penalty system reflects the seriousness with which the legislature views firearm accountability, and indicates an effort to discourage negligence among firearm owners regarding their possessions.

Summary

House Bill 2352 aims to amend existing provisions in the Tennessee Code Annotated regarding the regulations surrounding firearms. Specifically, the bill introduces a requirement for firearm owners to report the loss or theft of their firearms to the law enforcement agency within forty-eight hours of discovery. This regulation is designed to enhance accountability among firearm owners and ensure that law enforcement agencies are promptly informed of missing weapons, thereby potentially aiding in their recovery and reducing illegal firearm use.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HB2352 is its enforcement aspect. There are concerns from some stakeholders about the feasibility and implications of mandating firearm owners to report losses within a strict timeframe. Critics may argue that such a requirement could unfairly penalize owners who experience genuine difficulties in reporting or are physically incapable of doing so. Additionally, the involvement of gun dealers in notifying buyers about this requirement further intertwines the bill with broader discussions on gun regulation and ownership responsibilities.

Voting_history

The bill faced challenges in the legislative process, illustrated by its failure in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee as indicated by the voting results on March 19, 2024, where it received 3 votes in favor and 8 against. This outcome reflects the divisive opinions surrounding firearm regulation in the current political climate.