(NASHVILLE, TN), The General Assembly has approved legislation cracking down on violent crime in Tennessee that builds on the “Crooks with Guns Law” passed by the legislature last year.  The bill, sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) and Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville), adds attempted first degree murder to the Crooks with Guns Law. 

“Tennessee ranks second in the nation in the number of violent crimes,” said Senator Norris, who sponsored the original Crooks with Guns Law.  “This legislation would work to keep those offenders off the street where they are no longer a danger to the public.” 

Sixty-seven percent of those convicted of violent crimes are re-arrested within three years of being released from prison.  The recidivism rate increases to 80 percent when you move past that three-year marker.

The original “Crooks with Guns” legislation made it an additional offense to be armed with a firearm when committing a list of dangerous felonies like aggravated and especially aggravated kidnapping, burglary, stalking, carjacking, voluntary manslaughter, and certain drug crimes. 

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