Tennessee's Republican-led legislature cleared both chambers last week on HB 1802, a bill that expands the state's Castle Doctrine to cover a property owner's right to use force — and in specific circumstances, deadly force — to defend livestock, outbuildings, and personal property against trespass, arson, theft, burglary, and aggravated cruelty to animals. USA Carry reports the bill now sits on Governor Bill Lee's desk after the House voted 62 to 24 on April 24 and the Senate concurred with House amendments 23 to 5 following an initial Senate passage of 21 to 5 on April 21.

Under current Tennessee law, the Castle Doctrine extends a presumption of lawful use of force when someone forcibly enters a residence, occupied vehicle, or business — but the statutory language does not reach surrounding property. HB 1802 and its Senate companion SB 1847 amend Tennessee Code § 39-11-614 to extend that presumption to the curtilage: fenced land, outbuildings, pastures, and personal property located outside the home itself. The change is particularly significant for rural property owners, ranchers, and farmers, who have been among the bill's most active supporters.

The bill draws two important limits on when deadly force applies. It is only justified when a property owner reasonably believes no other adequate means of protection are available, or that attempting non-lethal force would expose the owner or another person to a risk of death or serious bodily injury. An explicit statutory restriction also bars the use of deadly force when the person being confronted is retreating — back turned and clearly attempting to leave. Bearing Arms covered the floor debate, noting that some legislators argued the "back turned" restriction creates line-drawing challenges for responding officers.

The Tennessee Firearms Association published a close read of the bill text arguing that the practical expansion of defensive rights may be narrower than proponents claim, given how Tennessee courts have historically applied the reasonable-belief and last-resort requirements in force cases. Supporters respond that establishing a clearer statutory basis for property defense represents a meaningful advance, and that the bill's language tracks similar legislation recently enacted in other states.

Governor Lee has not publicly stated his position on HB 1802. If signed, the law takes effect July 1, 2026. The legislature formally adjourned its 2026 session on April 26, leaving the decision in Lee's hands with no further legislative action possible this session.