People who make reckless threats of mass violence in Tennessee may face a felony charge if they are deemed credible.
Governor Bill Lee signed House Bill (HB) 1314 into law last week. State Representative William Lamberth (R-Portland) introduced this bill.
HB 1314 creates a Class E felony charge against a person who makes a reckless threat, by any means of communication, that a “reasonable person” would think could lead to “serious bodily injury or death” of four or more people.
The bill says the threat to four or more people accounts as “mass violence.”
In addition, the felony’s classification gets upgraded to Class D if someone threatens mass violence towards places of learning, houses of worship, government property, or live events.
Another way a person could face a Class D felony charge is if the person has a criminal record due to threatening mass violence on school property or at school-related activities.
Tennessee law states that a person found guilty of a Class E felony may be incarcerated for between one and six years and face a fine of up to $25,000.
For a Class D felony, an individual may receive a sentence of between two and 12 years and face a fine of up to $50,000.
Furthermore, this bill creates a Class B misdemeanor offense if a person publicly posts someone’s telephone number or home address without their consent, with the intent to cause harm or a threat of harm to an individual or that individual’s family.
HB 1314 defines harm as “bodily injury or damage to property.”
If actual harm comes to a person whose number is publicly posted, the person who did so will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.
According to Tennessee law, a person charged with a Class B misdemeanor may be imprisoned for up to six months and face a fine of up to $500.
For a Class A misdemeanor, an individual could be incarcerated for up to 11 months and 29 days and face a fine of up to $2,500.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at [email protected].
