(a) A person commits an offense who recklessly discharges a firearm into the air, ground, a body of water, or an object in proximity to the person if the firearm is discharged at a place of public gathering or at a public event where there are at least twenty-five (25) people in attendance at the time of the discharge.
(b) A violation of subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) This section does not apply if the firearm is discharged:(1) By an officer of the state, or any county, city, or town, charged with the enforcement of the laws of this state, when in the discharge of the officer's official duties;(2) By persons employed by the army, air force, navy, space force, coast guard, or marine service of the United States or any member of the Tennessee national guard when in discharge of the person's official duties and acting under orders requiring the person to carry a firearm;(3) As required by an animal control officer, rabies control officer, or Tennessee wildlife resources agency (TWRA) officer when in the discharge of the officer's official duties;(4) To lawfully take wildlife by permit or license during an open season established by the Tennessee wildlife resources agency;(5) For the control of nuisance wildlife by permit from the TWRA or the United States fish and wildlife service;(6) On the property of a public or privately owned sport shooting range, as defined in § 39-17-316;(7) In defense of self or another person against an animal attack if a reasonable person would believe that deadly force against the animal is immediately necessary and reasonable under the circumstances to protect oneself or the other person; or(8) In defense of a domestic animal against an imminent or ongoing animal attack if a reasonable person would believe that deadly force against the animal is immediately necessary and reasonable under the circumstances to protect the domestic animal from attack.
(1) By an officer of the state, or any county, city, or town, charged with the enforcement of the laws of this state, when in the discharge of the officer's official duties;
(2) By persons employed by the army, air force, navy, space force, coast guard, or marine service of the United States or any member of the Tennessee national guard when in discharge of the person's official duties and acting under orders requiring the person to carry a firearm;
(3) As required by an animal control officer, rabies control officer, or Tennessee wildlife resources agency (TWRA) officer when in the discharge of the officer's official duties;
(4) To lawfully take wildlife by permit or license during an open season established by the Tennessee wildlife resources agency;
(5) For the control of nuisance wildlife by permit from the TWRA or the United States fish and wildlife service;
(6) On the property of a public or privately owned sport shooting range, as defined in § 39-17-316;
(7) In defense of self or another person against an animal attack if a reasonable person would believe that deadly force against the animal is immediately necessary and reasonable under the circumstances to protect oneself or the other person; or
(8) In defense of a domestic animal against an imminent or ongoing animal attack if a reasonable person would believe that deadly force against the animal is immediately necessary and reasonable under the circumstances to protect the domestic animal from attack.