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In the 114th Tennessee General Assembly (2025-2026 session), which ended in late April 2026, several Second Amendment and firearms-related bills were considered. Most focused on carry rights, landlord restrictions, school programs, and criminal justice tweaks. A handful advanced and became law, while many others stalled in committee or were deferred.
Bills That Passed and Were Signed (or Headed to the Governor)
• Landlord restrictions: Prohibits landlords from banning tenants from lawfully possessing, carrying, storing, or transporting firearms, ammunition, or components in new or renewed leases (phased effective dates starting mid-2026).
• Hunter education in schools: Allows public schools to offer hunter education courses.
• Dangerous felonies and rights restoration: Measures that added offenses to lists affecting firearm possession and improved processes for restoring rights in certain cases.
Other proposals on expanded permits, doctor inquiries about gun ownership, constitutional amendments, and broad carry reforms largely failed to pass.
Latest Issue: Use of Firearm/Deadly Force to Protect Property
One of the most notable and controversial developments at the end of the session was HB 1802 / SB 1847 (and related measures like HB 0856). This legislation expands circumstances where a person can legally use deadly force to protect property.
Under prior Tennessee law (stand your ground and castle doctrine), deadly force was generally not justified solely to protect property—only reasonable non-deadly force was allowed for trespass, theft, or damage, with deadly force permitted mainly when there was an imminent threat to human life or serious bodily injury.
The new bill allows deadly force in specific scenarios if the person reasonably believes it is immediately necessary, such as to prevent or stop:
• Arson
• Burglary or robbery
• Aggravated cruelty to animals
• Certain serious property damage or theft under qualifying conditions (especially at a lawful residence where the defender is not engaged in unlawful activity)
It clarifies that simply displaying or brandishing a weapon does not automatically count as “deadly force” in some contexts, and it includes conditions like the intruder not retreating. If signed by Governor Bill Lee, it takes effect July 1, 2026. Tennessee would join a small number of states with stronger explicit property defense provisions.
Critics argue it risks escalating minor property crimes into deadly encounters, while supporters view it as empowering law-abiding citizens to defend their homes, land, and valuables more effectively against serious threats. Some legal analyses note the final amended version remains tied to traditional self-defense standards and may not create a blanket “shoot to protect property” right without additional risk factors.
For the most current status on any bill (including whether the governor signs the property defense measure), check the official Tennessee General Assembly website and search by bill number. The next regular session begins in 2027.
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