This law applies to citizens age 21 or older, as well as members of the military 18 to 20. It does not apply to long guns.
While the bill removes the misdemeanor offense for people of carrying a handgun without a permit, it increases punishments for certain gun crimes. The legislation:
- Boosts theft of a firearm from a misdemeanor to a felony and mandates six months of incarceration for the offense, up from the current 30-day sentence.
- Bars felons convicted of possession a firearm from early release.
Those who are not permitted to take advantage of this law:
- Felons and those convicted of domestic violence offenses.
- People with a conviction of stalking and those with a recent DUI conviction.
- Individuals who have been committed by the court to a mental institution.
Law enforcement opposed the law, while Gov. Bill Lee and GOP lawmakers supported the bill. The Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association, the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation all expressed opposition.
The Senate passed the bill on March 18, 23-9 voting for it. The House voted 64-29 on March 29. And Gov. Lee signed the legislation into law on April 18, 2021.
