Rep. Chandel Brooks, a Nashville Democrat, is wiping his eyes after a bill that would restrict gun ownership for certain mental health patients who passed a House committee. The bill was later notified in the Senate. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Amid the question about that language, a bill was pushed in 2026 on Wednesday that intentionally gave firearms to people who received inpatient mental health care.

Rep. Shaundelle Brooks of Hermitage Democrat said the bill was “Akira’s Law“In honor of his son, Akira Dasilva, who was killed in a massive shooting at Waffle House in Nashville in 2018.

Shooter, Travis Reinking Morton, Illinois had a history of schizophrenia and delusions. Before the shooting, Illinois State Police had revoked the identification card of his firearm owner and forced him to abandon his father the gun. His father then returned the gun and reconsidered, breaking Illinois law.

Tennessee gives firearms to boys and drunk people, but is not someone who has committed to mental health assessments.

Brooks said her bill is going to line up Tennessee. Illinois law It prohibits someone from giving or selling firearms to someone who is a mental health agency patient within five years.

Giving a gun to a certain mental health patient can be a crime in Tennessee

Brooks’ bill Passed the House of Representatives Criminal Justice Subcommittee In late March, questions about the scope and language of the bill arose at the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 8th.

Sen. Paul Rose, a Republican from southwestern Tennessee, called for clarity on what the bill defines as a “mental health agency” and what it means to be “recognised.” Rose questioned whether people who regularly visit mental health providers for drugs are considered patients in mental health agencies under the definition of the bill.

Raumesh Akbari, a Memphis Democrat who sponsors the bill, said he doesn’t think the bill would apply in that case.

Elliot Pinsly, president and CEO of Behavioral Health Foundation, said the way the law is written “can have a calm impact on the willingness of people seeking mental health care in Tennessee.” Pinsly, a licensed clinical social worker, founded a policy-focused nonprofit in 2020.

“The actual bill would be a crime punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, in order to sell, confer or otherwise transfer firearms to those who have received treatment for any kind of mental health care or addiction over the past five years.

Faced with uncertainty about the outcome of the committee’s vote, Akbari chose to move the bill to the General Subcommittee, essentially placing it on ice until it was revived in 2026.

“I look forward to President Brooks keeping this moving inside the house. I will work with all the members of this committee to ensure we can reach a solution so that we can really protect the people of Tennessee,” Akbari said.