Bill > SB1407

This bill modifies Tennessee's laws regarding the use of force, particularly when it comes to protecting property and defining deadly force. The legislation lowers the standard for using deadly force to protect property, allowing individuals to use deadly force when they reasonably believe it is immediately necessary to prevent or terminate actions like trespassing, arson, property damage, burglary, theft, or harm to animals. The bill redefines "deadly force" to exclude weapon display or brandishing, and only considers it deadly force if it causes or risks death or serious bodily injury. Additionally, the bill adjusts language around the probability of causing harm, changing the standard from "substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily harm" to a "substantial probability of causing a substantial risk of death, protracted unconsciousness, or extreme physical pain." The changes essentially expand the circumstances under which a person can legally use deadly force to protect property, providing more legal protection for property owners who believe their property or livestock are under threat. The bill will take effect immediately upon becoming law, and includes a severability clause that ensures if any part of the act is found invalid, the rest of the act can still be enforced.

Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1407&ga=114