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TennesseeSB 1360114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 29, Chapter 42 and Title 39, relative to weapons.

Sponsored By: Joey Hensley (Republican)

Became Law

Remedies and Special Proceedings

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Stronger legal shield for gun industry

Beginning July 1, 2025, people cannot bring qualified civil liability actions in Tennessee. The law defines these actions to include court, arbitration, and administrative cases tied to criminal misuse or theories about making or selling the product. Complaints must claim the dealer, maker, or seller directly caused the harm, and plaintiffs must show by clear and convincing evidence the case is not barred. Courts must dismiss barred cases with prejudice. The law also replaces “knowingly” with “intentionally,” removes “negligence per se,” sets a stricter negligent‑entrustment rule, and says no recovery for harms from third‑party criminal misuse or other theories Tennessee does not recognize.

Broader definitions of gun products and sellers

Beginning July 1, 2025, the law clarifies what counts as a firearm, ammunition, and their parts. It adds many accessories to the covered list, like magazines, silencers, optics, and defensive sprays. It defines who is a dealer, seller, and manufacturer tied to Tennessee business presence and licensing. It also removes some phrases that created confusion. These updates give makers and sellers clearer rules about what is covered in lawsuits.

State limits local gun regulations

Beginning July 1, 2025, cities and counties can act only by ordinance or resolution on these topics. They may regulate firearm discharge only when state law expressly allows it. Local rules about privately owned items are limited to where they are located. Some conduct is not automatically a nuisance, civil conspiracy, negligent entrustment, or unlawful business practice. The law also adds “loan” to transfer terms, expands coverage from knives to “knives and other weapons,” removes one subsection, and updates wording to cover future presence and intent.

Big penalties on out-of-state judgments

Starting July 1, 2025, anyone trying to enforce an out‑of‑state judgment against a dealer, maker, or seller must certify it does not violate Tennessee public policy. The plaintiff must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the case would not have been barred in Tennessee. If the court finds a policy violation, it must dismiss with prejudice. The court must also order the judgment creditor and their lawyers to pay three times the judgment amount, plus attorney fees and costs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joey Hensley

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Paul Bailey

    Republican • Senate

  • Janice Bowling

    Republican • Senate

  • Adam Lowe

    Republican • Senate

  • John Stevens

    Republican • Senate

  • Bo Watson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 170 • No: 50

House vote • 4/15/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/15/2025

Yes: 72 • No: 20

House vote • 4/15/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/15/2025

Yes: 66 • No: 22

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/15/2025

Yes: 26 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/8/2025

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 6 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 329

    5/13/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 07/01/2025

    5/13/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/2/2025Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    4/22/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/21/2025Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/21/2025House

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/17/2025Senate

  8. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0383)

    4/15/2025Senate

  9. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 26, Nays 6

    4/15/2025Senate

  10. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    4/15/2025Senate

  11. Subst. for comp. HB.

    4/15/2025House

  12. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0366)

    4/15/2025House

  13. Passed H., Ayes 72, Nays 20, PNV 0

    4/15/2025House

  14. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/15/2025Senate

  15. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/15/2025

    4/14/2025Senate

  16. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/15/2025

    4/11/2025Senate

  17. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 6, Nays 2 PNV 0

    4/8/2025Senate

  18. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/8/2025

    4/2/2025Senate

  19. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/8/2025

    4/2/2025Senate

  20. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/2/2025

    4/1/2025Senate

  21. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/2/2025

    4/1/2025Senate

  22. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/1/2025

    3/31/2025Senate

  23. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/1/2025

    3/31/2025Senate

  24. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/31/2025

    3/26/2025Senate

  25. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/1/2025

    3/24/2025Senate

Bill Text

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