Capley Bill to Expand Property Defense Rights Advances

Legislation sponsored by State Representative Kip Capley of Summertown to expand Tennesseans’ right to defend private property has advanced in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.

House Bill 1802 would allow the use of deadly force in certain situations if it is immediately necessary to protect property where a person lawfully resides. The measure includes cases involving arson, burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, or aggravated cruelty to animals, and requires a reasonable belief that deadly force is necessary with no safe alternative.

Capley says the proposal is aimed at strengthening protections for residents, particularly in rural areas where law enforcement response times may be longer.

Current Tennessee law allows the use of deadly force in self-defense and under the Castle Doctrine, but generally limits property protection to non-deadly force.

The bill is scheduled to be considered by the House Judiciary Committee in the coming weeks.