Tennessee Senate Bill SB0500

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/29/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 10; Title 13; Title 16; Title 29; Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 47; Title 49; Title 50; Title 55; Title 58; Title 65; Title 68 and Title 70, relative to firearms.

Impact

Another major aspect of SB 500 is the prohibition of large-capacity magazines, defined as any ammunition feeding device capable of holding more than ten rounds. Possessing such magazines would be classified as a Class B misdemeanor, whereas the manufacturing or sale of these magazines is a Class A misdemeanor. This restriction is intended to limit the firepower available to individuals, thus reducing the potential for mass shootings and encouraging a culture of firearm responsibility.

Summary

Senate Bill 500, titled the 'Protect Kids Not Guns Act', aims to enhance firearm safety regulations in Tennessee. A significant provision of the bill mandates that firearms must be stored securely in a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant lock to prevent unauthorized access. Violating this standard would constitute a Class A misdemeanor. This measure emphasizes the importance of safe firearm storage, particularly within households with children, and aims to reduce accidental shootings and unauthorized access to firearms.

Contention

The provisions in SB 500, particularly those regarding firearm storage and large-capacity magazines, represent a contentious issue within the state. Proponents argue that these regulations are essential for protecting children and preventing gun violence, while opponents assert that such restrictions infringe on Second Amendment rights and could create challenges for law-abiding gun owners. The political landscape surrounding gun control in Tennessee remains divided, and this bill is likely to spark further debate as it navigates the legislative process.