Tennessee bill aims to strengthen the Stand Your Ground law

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Tennessee's "Stand Your Ground" law keeps homeowners from most criminal prosecution, but now a bill proposed by state Rep. Bruce Griffey (R-Paris) would close what he says is a loophole that still allows people whom homeowners shoot to sue homeowners.

Rep. Griffey says the temptation to sue homeowners is often made stronger because of homeowners insurance policies that cover injuries that occur on their property.

Griffey's bill would give homeowners not only criminal immunity, which is already in place, but civil immunity as well.

"There needs to be some finding of clear and convincing evidence that they did something inappropriate in discharging their firearm, so they're not brought through the litigation ringer,"

A bill similar to Griffey's never made it out of the legislature in 2017 -- but Griffey says he's hopeful this year, the outcome will be different.