Gun laws in Tennessee
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Gun laws in Tennessee regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Tennessee in the United States.
| Subject / law | Long guns | Handguns | Relevant statutes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State permit required to purchase? | No | No | ||
| Firearm registration? | No | No | ||
| Assault weapon law? | No | No | ||
| Magazine capacity restriction? | No | No | ||
| Owner license required? | No | No | ||
| Permit required for concealed carry? | N/A | No | T.C.A. § 39-17-1307 T.C.A. § 39-17-1308 T.C.A. § 39-17-1351 T.C.A. § 39-17-1366 | Tennessee is a "shall issue" state for citizens and lawful permanent residents who are 18 years or older. Concealed and Enhanced permits are issued. Enhanced permits are issued to those who complete a training course. Permitless carry took effect on July 1, 2021. |
| Permit required for open carry? | N/A | No | T.C.A. § 39-17-1307 T.C.A. § 39-17-1308 | May carry handguns loaded openly without permit. Long guns may only be carried unloaded. |
| Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground law? | Yes | Yes | T.C.A. § 39-11-611 | |
| State preemption of local restrictions? | Yes | Yes | T.C.A. § 39-17-1314 T.C.A. § 39-17-1359 | Local governments may post signs to prohibit carry on government property. Local governments may not, however, prohibit firearms in locally owned/operated parks and other recreational areas. |
| NFA weapons restricted? | No | No | ||
| Shall certify? | Yes | Yes | T.C.A. § 39-17-1361 | Shall certify within 15 days. |
| Peaceable Journey laws? | No | No | ||
| Background checks required for private sales? | No | No |
Places off-limits even with a Handgun Carry Permit
| Location | Relevant Statutes | Notes/Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Public Establishment where Alcoholic Beverages of any type are served | T.C.A. § 39-17-1321 | It is illegal for anyone to possess a handgun while under the influence of alcohol or any other controlled substance. It is lawful to possess a firearm on the premises of a public place where alcoholic beverages are served as long as such individual is not consuming alcoholic beverages. The allowable BAC for a handgun carry permit holder in public possession of a loaded firearm is exactly 0.0%, zero tolerance. Blood tests can establish intoxication by narcotics. Peaceable journey laws apply, and if an HCP holder has a drink, it is allowable to unload the firearm and lock it in the trunk of the vehicle, provided that the driver is under 0.08% BAC. |
| Any room where a judicial proceeding is taking place | T.C.A. § 39-17-1306 | If a proceeding is not taking place in a courtroom, then carry would be legal. If a judicial proceeding is taking place in any room, say a hospital room, then carry would be illegal. |
| Schools | T.C.A. § 39-17-1309 T.C.A. § 39-17-1310 T.C.A. § 39-17-1313 T.C.A. § 49-7-163 |
Possession of any firearm is prohibited on school property outside of a private vehicle. Vehicle transportation of an unloaded firearm without a carry permit is legal on school property if one is a non-student adult and they do not remove, utilize, or allow to be removed or utilized the weapon from the vehicle (T.C.A. § 39-17-1309(c)(1). Per T.C.A. § 39-17-1313, a student with a valid handgun carry permit may have loaded firearm in a vehicle, as long as the firearm is locked in a container, glove box, or trunk, and is not utilized or removed.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-163 prohibits post-secondary institutions from taking "any adverse or disciplinary action against an employee or student of the postsecondary institution solely for such person's transportation and storage of a firearm or firearm ammunition in compliance with § 39-17-1313 while on or using a parking area located on property owned, used, or operated by the postsecondary institution." |
| "Some" Local Public Parks | T.C.A. § 39-17-1311 | If you have a Handgun Carry Permit, carry in State and local parks is legal by default. The final bill includes language stating that someone with a handgun permit may not be within the "immediate vicinity" of a school-sponsored park event, though it does not provide a clear definition of "immediate vicinity." per 39-17-1311 during the activity. See TN AG Opinion Numbers 09-129[1] and 09-160.[2] |
| Any area/building/property posted with a notice per T.C.A. § 39-17-1359. | T.C.A. § 39-17-1359 | Notice of the prohibition shall be displayed in prominent locations, including all entrances primarily used by persons entering the property, building, or portion of the property or building where weapon possession is prohibited. Either form of notice used shall be of a size that is plainly visible to the average person entering the building, property, or portion of the building or property, posted. The code says the sign must be the international circle and slash symbolizing the prohibition of the item within the circle or the sign must contain wording in English that is "substantially similar" to that used in the code; substantially similar being defined as such: The property is posted under authority of Tennessee law; Weapons or firearms are prohibited on the property, in the building, or on the portion of the property or building that is posted; and Possessing a weapon in an area that has been posted is a criminal offense. See TN AG Opinion No 07-43.[3] Notwithstanding T.C.A. § 39-17-1359, vehicle transportation of a loaded firearm is allowed under T.C.A. § 39-17-1313 as long as the firearm is secured in the handgun carry permit holder's privately owned vehicle and is not visible to "ordinary observation". |