House Bill 873 amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to weapons, specifically focusing on definitions and civil liability actions concerning firearms and ammunition. Key changes include the redefinition of terms such as "ammunition," "dealer," "firearm," and "manufacturer," with new language clarifying their meanings. The bill also introduces new categories of items considered as "qualified products," including antique firearms, body armor, and various firearm accessories. Additionally, it modifies the legal framework surrounding qualified civil liability actions, emphasizing that such actions cannot be brought against dealers, manufacturers, or sellers for the unlawful misuse of qualified products by third parties.

The bill further stipulates that in any civil liability action, the burden of proof lies with the plaintiff to demonstrate that the action is not barred by the new provisions. It also includes specific requirements for enforcing foreign judgments against dealers or manufacturers, ensuring that such enforcement does not violate Tennessee's public policy. Other amendments address local regulations concerning firearms and clarify that certain actions do not constitute a nuisance or unlawful business practice. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 29-42-101, 29-42-101(3)(A), 29-42-101(4), 29-42-101(10), 29-42-102, 29-42-102(3), 29-42-102(4), 39-17-1314(a), 39-17-1314, 39-17-1314(b), 39-17-1314(b)(3), 39-17-1314(b)(4), 39-17-1314(c), 39-17-1314(f), 39-17-1314(h)(1)(C)