TennesseeTennessee law ties judges’ weapons offense exception to handgun authorization
Starting July 1, 2026, Tennessee judges with judicial powers and state authorization to carry a handgun have an exception to the weapons offense during judicial proceedings.
What it does
A judge has an exception to the weapons offense during judicial proceedings only if the judge has judicial powers and state authorization to carry a handgun.
Argument forThe exception could protect judges with judicial powers who are authorized to carry a handgun while carrying during judicial proceedings.
Argument againstJudges without handgun authorization would not meet these listed conditions, which could leave them subject to the weapons offense during judicial proceedings.
More detail
The law provides an exception to the weapons offense during judicial proceedings for judges who meet the listed requirements. This applies to judges vested with judicial powers under Tennessee Code section 16-1-101. The judge must have judicial powers under Tennessee law and be authorized to carry a handgun under Tennessee law. 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. 1141Latest
- 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 22Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 22Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0774)Minor
- Apr 22Passed H., Ayes 86, Nays 2, PNV 2Passed House
- Apr 15Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Apr 13Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0905)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/13/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 13Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 29, Nays 2Passed Senate
- Apr 13Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 13Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Apr 10Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/13/2026
- 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 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 3Reset on Final calendar of Senate Judiciary Committee
- Feb 25Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/3/2026
- Feb 5Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Feb 2Filed for introductionMinor
- Feb 2Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationIntroduced
Gun Policy