Senate Bill 7049, also known as House Bill 7056, amends Tennessee law regarding stalking by introducing a new provision related to the use of semi-automatic rifles. Specifically, it adds a subdivision to Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-315(c)(1), which states that if a person purchases or attempts to use a semi-automatic rifle in the course of stalking, it constitutes an additional offense. The bill defines a "semi-automatic rifle" as a repeating rifle that uses energy from a fired cartridge to extract the spent case and chamber the next round, requiring a separate trigger function for each shot.

The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2023, emphasizing the importance of public welfare in its implementation. This legislative change aims to enhance the legal framework surrounding stalking offenses by addressing the potential use of firearms in such cases, thereby promoting safety and accountability.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-17-315(c)(1), 39-17-315