Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A bill that seeks to lower the standard in Tennessee for the use of deadly force in protecting property passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday in a 7 to 1 vote with Committee Chair Senator Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga-District 10) abstaining from the vote.
The legislation now heads to the Senate Calendar Committee.
Sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 25), Senate Bill 1847 (SB1847) allows for the use of deadly force to “prevent or terminate the other’s actual or attempted trespass; arson; damage to property, including damage to livestock; burglary; theft; robbery; or aggravated cruelty to animals” in the event that the one using deadly force believes that the property cannot be protected any other way or if the use of force by other means would expose them or someone else to risk of death or serious bodily injury.
Shooting someone in the back would not be justified under the legislation.
Executive Director Stephen Crump who testified on behalf of the Tennessee District Attorney General Office said that the legislation could allow someone to use deadly force on an individual merely turning around in their driveway but Hensley stated that those using deadly force would have to defend their actions in court.
The companion House Bill (HB1802), sponsored by Representative Kip Capley (R-Summertown-District 71), is scheduled to be heard in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee today, March 25th.
Contact information for members of the committee may be found below.
House Criminal Justice Subcommittee – HB1802 scheduled to be heard 3.25.26
HB1802 as introduced, lowers the standard for the use of deadly force to protect property.
Rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.fred.atchley@capitol.tn.gov; rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov; rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov; rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rick.scarbrough@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
