On Tuesday, a new Bill introduced to the Tennessee General Assembly by Representative Caleb Hemmer and Senator Jeff Yarbro (HB0563/SB0807) could result in gun owners being charged for leaving guns unsecured inside of vehicles.

The bill was passed through the House on its first consideration on Monday.

To summarize:

Prohibits a person from storing a loaded or unloaded handgun, firearm, or firearm ammunition in a motor vehicle while the person is not in the motor vehicle unless the handgun, firearm, or firearm ammunition is kept from ordinary observation and locked within the trunk, utility or glove box, or a locked container securely affixed to the motor vehicle.

Requires a person who owns a handgun to report the loss or theft of the handgun to a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction within 24 hours of the discovery of the loss or theft.

Creates a Class C misdemeanor, punishable only by the completion of a court-approved handgun safety course, for a violation of either of these provisions. Prohibits the court from imposing a fine or incarceration for a violation of either provision.