Tennessee Senate Bill SB1021

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/23
• Failed: 3/14/23

Caption

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

Impact

The impact of SB1021 may significantly affect gun purchasing and ownership laws in Tennessee. By introducing a legal consequence for knowingly transferring firearms to prohibited individuals, the bill seeks to tighten regulations around who can receive a firearm. This change could lead to increased scrutiny of firearm transactions and potentially alter how gun sellers and private individuals handle transfers of firearms to ensure compliance with the law.

Summary

Senate Bill 1021 aims to amend Tennessee’s firearm laws by adding a new provision that specifically addresses the transfer of firearms to individuals who are legally prohibited from possessing them. The bill states that transferring a firearm to such an individual is considered an offense if the transferor knows or reasonably should know of the recipient's prohibition. A violation of this provision would be classified as a Class A misdemeanor.

Contention

The introduction of SB1021 has raised various points of contention among lawmakers and advocacy groups. Supporters argue that the bill is a necessary measure to promote responsible firearm ownership and enhance public safety by preventing firearms from falling into the hands of those deemed unfit to possess them. However, opponents may view this as an encroachment on Second Amendment rights, expressing concerns that the bill could lead to undue restrictions on lawful firearm transactions and create ambiguity around legal responsibilities for firearm transfers.