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SB 243

Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 40.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Bailey

Raises penalties for altering/removing firearm serials or misrepresenting identity, making selling, buying, or possessing such firearms a Class E felony with a 180-day minimum.

Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 243

Summary of Tennessee SB 243 / HB 588 (Session 114)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill enhances penalties for a specific offense related to firearms: altering or removing a firearm’s permanent identifying numbers (such as serial numbers) or otherwise concealing the firearm’s identity, and subsequently selling, purchasing, or possessing the firearm.
  • It moves the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony with a mandatory minimum sentence.

Key provisions and changes

  • Amends: Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13; and Title 40.
  • New offense (Section 1, amended 39-14-134):
    • Offense: With knowledge and intent to conceal or misrepresent the identity of a firearm or antique firearm, a person:
    • (A) Alters, covers, defaces, destroys, obliterates, or removes the permanent serial number, the manufacturer’s identification plate, or another permanent distinguishing number from a firearm or antique firearm; or
    • (B) Sells, purchases, or possesses such a firearm or antique firearm.
    • Classification and penalty: This offense is a Class E felony with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days (6 months) of incarceration.
    • Release eligibility: The offender is not eligible for release from confinement until the full 180-day minimum sentence is served.
  • Effective date: July 1, 2025.

Who/what is affected

  • Individuals who knowingly alter or remove permanent serial numbers or other permanent identifying marks on firearms or antique firearms and/or engage in selling, purchasing, or possessing such firearms.
  • Law enforcement, prosecutors, and the state court system in cases involving firearms with altered identifiers.
  • Local governments may incur related costs due to potential changes in incarceration and related jail populations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative history notes:
    • Assigned to committees in 2025, with actions including passage in a subcommittee and scheduling in Judiciary and then Finance, Ways & Means.
    • Floor actions and sponsor: Co-sponsor Paul Bailey; bill numbers SB 243 (Senate) / HB 588 (House).
  • Fiscal impact (as amended by the fiscal note):
    • State government: Incarceration expenditures estimated at $107,500 overall (recurring) due to increased felony confinement.
    • Local government: Recurring expenditures of about $8,000 (starting FY 25-26) due to changes in sentencing; potential offset where local facilities house inmates for shorter periods.
    • Assumptions include: average of 8.57 annual cases involving firearm-related altered items moving to Class E felonies, with an average 0.56 years (about 0.56 of a year) of incarceration per offender.
    • Incarceration costs per day: state facilities approx. $62.02; local facilities approx. $61.99.
    • Net revenue impact: Insignificant collection of court costs/fees expected; no major revenue impact anticipated.
  • Geographic and demographic context: Assumes continued population growth and current jail bed utilization; does not address bed availability constraints beyond cost assumptions.

Bottom line

SB 243/HB 588 strengthens penalties for knowingly concealing or misrepresenting firearm identity by altering or removing serial numbers, or by selling/possessing such firearms. It elevates the offense to a Class E felony with a mandatory 180-day minimum sentence, effective July 1, 2025, and imposes modest state and local incarceration cost impacts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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