Bill > HB1222

This bill establishes a legal mechanism for issuing emergency protection orders in Tennessee that temporarily prohibit individuals deemed to pose an imminent risk of harm from purchasing or possessing firearms. The law allows family members, household members, intimate partners, or law enforcement officers to petition a court for such an order when they have a reasonable belief that a person could be dangerous. If granted, the ex parte emergency protection order requires the respondent to surrender all firearms within 48 hours and prohibits firearm possession for up to one year. The court must hold a hearing within 30 days to either dissolve or extend the order, with the petitioner needing to prove the imminent risk by a preponderance of the evidence. The bill specifies that petitioners cannot be charged court costs, and if the order is extended, the respondent will be responsible for all legal fees. Violating the order is a Class A misdemeanor, and law enforcement is required to arrest respondents who breach the protection order under specific circumstances. The legislation also provides detailed procedures for firearm surrender, including options like transferring weapons to a third party or securing them in a locked container. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, with some administrative provisions taking effect immediately.

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https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1222&ga=114