Senate Bill 607 amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to firearms, particularly focusing on the regulations surrounding juvenile possession of firearms. The bill removes several existing subsections from Section 39-17-1307, including the deletion of subsections (a), (e), and (g), and modifies subsection (b)(1) by removing the term "unlawfully." Additionally, it introduces a new subsection that establishes it as an offense for juveniles to carry a firearm with the intent to go armed, classifying such a violation as a Class A misdemeanor. The bill also outlines specific exceptions for juveniles, such as participation in hunter safety courses, organized competitions, or when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Furthermore, the bill revises the requirements for obtaining an enhanced handgun carry permit, lowering the minimum age from twenty-one to eighteen years, and clarifies that applicants must not be prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law. Other amendments include the deletion of certain defenses related to firearm possession and the introduction of new definitions for "juvenile" and "unloaded." The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-17-1307, 39-17-1307(b)(1), 39-17-1313(a), 39-17-1313, 39-17-1364, 39-17-1308, 39-17-1351(b), 39-17-1351, 39-17-1351(x)(1)