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HB 1190

Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class E felony that is committed when a person exercises control over a motor vehicle knowing that the person does not have the permission of the owner of the motor vehicle; creates a Class A misdemeanor of possessing a firearm that the person knows or reasonably should know has been stolen. - Amends TCA Title 39.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Johnny Shaw

Tennessee bill criminalizes unauthorized vehicle operation as a Class E felony and stolen firearm possession as a Class A misdemeanor, enhancing penalties for property and weapons crimes.

Ref. to Judiciary Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1190

Legislative bill overview

HB 1190 creates two new criminal offenses in Tennessee: a Class E felony for operating a motor vehicle without the owner's permission, and a Class A misdemeanor for possessing a stolen firearm (if the person knows or should know it's stolen). These amendments modify Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39, which governs criminal offenses.

Why is this important

Vehicle theft and stolen firearm possession directly affect public safety and property crime rates. This legislation clarifies legal standards around unauthorized vehicle use and creates specific penalties for stolen firearm possession, potentially closing gaps in existing law enforcement tools.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of "control": The felony definition for vehicle control may be ambiguous—whether it applies to brief unauthorized use, test drives, or only sustained possession, potentially ensnaring conduct some view as less serious than traditional grand theft auto
  • "Reasonably should know" standard: This subjective threshold for the firearm misdemeanor could create prosecutorial discretion issues and place burden on defendants to prove their lack of knowledge
  • Felony severity: Classifying unauthorized vehicle use as a Class E felony (lowest felony tier) may be disproportionate compared to other states' misdemeanor approaches, affecting sentencing and employment/voting consequences

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

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