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HB 1757

Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates an offense of recklessly discharging a firearm into the air, ground, a body of water, or an object in close proximity to the person if the firearm is discharged at a place of public gathering or at a public event where there are at least 25 people in attendance at the time of the discharge; punishes the offense as a Class A misdemeanor; specifies certain exceptions to the offense. - Amends TCA Title 39.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Iris Rudder

Tennessee bill criminalizes recklessly firing guns into air/ground at public events with 25+ people as Class A misdemeanor with specified exceptions.

Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/14/2026
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1757

Legislative bill overview

HB 1757 creates a new criminal offense in Tennessee for recklessly discharging a firearm into the air, ground, water, or nearby objects at public gatherings or events with 25+ attendees. The offense is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, with certain statutory exceptions built into the law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39 (criminal law).

Why is this important

Celebratory or reckless gunfire at public events poses genuine public safety risks, including stray bullets injuring bystanders. This bill targets a specific behavioral gap by criminalizing a dangerous practice that may not fit neatly under existing assault or recklessness statutes, particularly in high-attendance settings where risk to others is elevated.

Potential points of contention

  • Second Amendment concerns: Some will argue the law infringes on firearm rights, though the bill targets reckless discharge rather than lawful possession or use
  • Definition clarity: What constitutes a "place of public gathering" and how the 25-person threshold is verified in real-time could create enforcement ambiguity
  • Exception scope: The bill references "certain exceptions" without detail in this summary, raising questions about what conduct is actually protected (self-defense, law enforcement, lawful hunting/sport shooting, etc.)

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

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