Tennessee Lawmakers Advance Misguided Bill to Shield Gun Industry From Accountability

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Today, volunteers with the Tennessee chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statements after lawmakers in Tennessee passed SB 1360 through the House and Senate. This bill would expand the already expansive protections for gun manufacturers and dealers under current state law to also shield firearm companies and dealers in Tennessee from any civil liability when their products are used to cause harm, even when manufacturers and dealers act irresponsibly. The bill now heads to Governor Bill Lee’s desk. 

“We are sick and tired of hearing excuses from our lawmakers. Clearly, they are willing to protect the gun lobby, but they’re not willing to protect our children from gun violence,” said Kristen Stirling, a volunteer with the Tennessee chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Instead of trying to pass life-saving gun safety measures that could protect our state from senseless violence, lawmakers are once again devoting all of their energy towards making sure the gun industry is never held accountable for the blood on their hands. They’re not just failing us — they’re complicit.”  

“Failing to hold the gun industry accountable for being complicit in America’s gun violence crisis is a huge reason why our gun violence epidemic has become so severe,” said Drew Spiegel, a volunteer with the Vanderbilt Students Demand Action chapter. “We hold other industries, like the opioid industry, responsible for negligent practices. Why should this be any different? Our lawmakers should be focused on public safety, not the gun industry’s interests.”

SB 1360 raises serious concerns about accountability, public safety and justice for victims of gun violence. Tennessee already offers gun manufacturers and sellers sweeping legal protections—more extensive than those provided under the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). But this bill goes even further, tipping the scales even more in favor of the gun industry.

Under SB 1360, victims of gun violence would be forced to clear an almost impossible legal hurdle before they could even bring a case forward—required to present clear and convincing evidence that the gun company or dealer is not immune. This flips the burden of proof onto grieving victims and survivors, not the industry, which has ample access to lawyers. The bill effectively shields gun makers and sellers from being held liable—even when their negligence or misconduct causes real harm. It also makes it nearly impossible to hold accountable those who knowingly provide firearms to individuals in crisis or with violent intent, against their better judgment. 

This marks the second time in two years that Tennessee lawmakers have tried to expand legal immunity for the gun industry. This also marks yet another year that Tennessee lawmakers failed to take any substantial action to pass gun safety legislation. Rather than protecting the gun lobby, lawmakers should be prioritizing legislation that makes Tennessee communities safer, like secure storage laws. 
Tennessee has the 11th-highest rate of gun deaths and the 8th-highest rate of gun homicide in the U.S. On average, 1,476 people die each year by guns. Gun violence costs Tennessee $18.0 billion each year, of which $415.5 million is paid by taxpayers. Read more on the impacts of gun violence on Tennessee here.