Bill > HB0167

This bill, known as "MaKayla's Law," amends Tennessee's reckless endangerment statute to create new criminal penalties for firearm storage that results in a child under 13 accessing and discharging a weapon. Specifically, the law establishes two levels of criminal charges based on the outcome of a child's firearm access: if the discharge causes bodily or serious bodily injury, the offense is a Class E felony, and if the discharge results in death, it becomes a Class C felony. The bill requires gun owners to lock, secure, or otherwise make firearms and ammunition unavailable to children, creating a legal responsibility for safe firearm storage. By introducing these specific provisions, the law aims to reduce unintentional child firearm injuries and deaths by holding gun owners accountable for proper weapon storage. The new legal provisions will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving gun owners and law enforcement time to prepare for the new requirements.

Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0167&ga=114