TennesseeTennessee law treats reckless gunfire at crowded public events as a misdemeanor
Starting July 1, 2026, reckless gunfire at a public gathering or event with at least 25 people present is a Class A misdemeanor, with listed exceptions.
What it does
At a public gathering or event with at least 25 people present, recklessly firing a gun into the air, ground, water, or a nearby object is a Class A misdemeanor. Exceptions cover specified official duties, wildlife activities, shooting ranges, and certain animal attacks.
Argument forThe misdemeanor penalty could discourage reckless shots near crowds and help protect people gathered at public events.
Argument againstPeople at public events could still face danger from gunfire in situations covered by exceptions, including some official duties and animal attacks.
More detail
The law treats certain reckless gunfire at crowded public gatherings or events as a Class A misdemeanor. It covers firing a gun into the air, ground, water, or an object near the person at a public gathering or event with at least 25 people present when the gun is fired. Exceptions cover specified official duties, lawful hunting and wildlife control, shooting ranges, and certain animal attacks. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1086Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 22Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/22/2026
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR 2 PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE: H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/22/2026 4/22/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 22H. Placed on Regular Calendar 2 for 4/22/2026
- Apr 22Passed H., Ayes 63, Nays 18, PNV 9Passed House
- Apr 21Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0972)Minor
- Apr 21Failed to pass H., Ayes 46, Nays 29, PNV 8
- Apr 21Re-ref. Calendar and Rules Committee
- Apr 13Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Apr 9Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0908)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/9/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 9Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 29, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Apr 9Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 9Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Apr 7Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/9/2026
- Mar 25Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
- Vote recorded SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0 3/25/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 25Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 24Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/25/2026
- Mar 24Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/25/2026
- Mar 23Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/24/2026
- Mar 23Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/24/2026
- Mar 18Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/23/2026
- Mar 16Reset on Final calendar of Senate Judiciary Committee
- Mar 11Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/16/2026
- Jan 22Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Jan 21Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 16Filed for introductionIntroduced
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