HB 949 – SB 1183
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
March 13, 2025
Fiscal Analyst: Natalie Dusek | Email: natalie.dusek@capitol.tn.gov | Phone: 615-741-2564
HB 949 – SB 1183
SUMMARY OF BILL: Creates a Class A misdemeanor offense to store or keep a firearm in
any place unless the firearm is secured in a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant
mechanical lock or other safety device that is properly engaged so as to render the firearm
inoperable by any person other than the owner or another lawfully authorized user, except when the
firearm is carried by or under control of the owner or other lawfully authorized user.
FISCAL IMPACT:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
EXPENDITURES Mandatory
FY25-26 & Subsequent Years $283,900
Article II, Section 24 of the Tennessee Constitution provides that: no law of general application shall impose increased expenditure
requirements on cities or counties unless the General Assembly shall provide that the state share in the cost.
Assumptions:
• According to a 2022 study on firearm storage practices in the United States:
o 58.3 percent of firearm owners surveyed reported storing at least one firearm
unlocked but hidden; and
o 17.9 percent reported storing at least one firearm unlocked and unhidden.
• According to the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives National
Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment: Crime Gun Intelligence and Analysis Volume
Two, Part V, between 2017 and 2021 an average of 8,143 firearms per year were stolen from
private citizens in Tennessee.
• This analysis assumes 75 percent or 6,107.25 (8,143 x 75.0%) of stolen firearms are the
result of the firearm being left unsecured.
• The proposed legislation is assumed to result in a significant decrease in the number
reported firearm thefts as such reports could result in the owner of the firearm being
charged with a Class A misdemeanor offense for violation of the storage requirements.
However, it is assumed that some storage violations will be discovered through commission
of subsequent crimes by individuals committing theft.
• It is assumed that five percent, or 305.36 (6,107.25 x 5.0%), of the firearm owners will be
charged with a Class A misdemeanor as a result of the proposed legislation.
• It is assumed that an individual convicted of a Class A misdemeanor offense will spend an
average of 15 days in a local jail.
HB 949 – SB 1183 2
• Based on cost estimates provided by local government entities throughout the state and
reported bed capacity within such facilities, the weighted average cost per day to house an
inmate in a local jail facility is $61.99.
• The recurring mandatory increase in expenditures to local governments is estimated to be
$283,939 (305.36 convictions x $61.99 x 15) in FY25-26 and subsequent years.
CERTIFICATION:
The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Bojan Savic, Executive Director