Tennessee Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Tennessee have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. There is no state-level assault weapons or magazine capacity ban. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | 🚫 No. Private transfers do not require background checks. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply on all dealer sales. |
| Is Tennessee a Stand Your Ground state? | ✅ Yes. Castle Doctrine applies—no duty to retreat. |
| What kind of restrictions does Tennessee have? |
|
| Does Tennessee have any gun storage laws? | ⚠️ No explicit safe-storage requirement; child-access rules under general statutes. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in Tennessee? | ✅ Yes. No state limits on quantities. |
| Does Tennessee have a red flag law? | 🚫 No. The state bans local red-flag (ERPO) ordinances (SB 2763). |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in Tennessee? | 🚫 No. Firearm registration is not required in Tennessee. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | 🚫 No. Purchases only require standard federal background checks via dealers. |
| Does Tennessee have a waiting period for firearms? | 🚫 No waiting period—only NICS/TICS processing time. |
🚫 No. There is no state-level assault weapons or magazine capacity ban.
🚫 No. Private transfers do not require background checks.
✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply on all dealer sales.
✅ Yes. Castle Doctrine applies—no duty to retreat.
- ℹ️ Constitutional/permitless carry of handguns since July 1, 2021 (SB 765) for adults 21+ and 18+ military members.
- ℹ️ Standard and enhanced handgun permits still available but optional.
- ℹ️ No waiting period or universal checks at point-of-sale.
⚠️ No explicit safe-storage requirement; child-access rules under general statutes.
✅ Yes. No state limits on quantities.
🚫 No. The state bans local red-flag (ERPO) ordinances (SB 2763).
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
🚫 No. Firearm registration is not required in Tennessee.
🚫 No. Purchases only require standard federal background checks via dealers.
🚫 No waiting period—only NICS/TICS processing time.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Tennessee allow Open Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit for handguns only; applies to those 18 and older. |
| Does Tennessee allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Permitless for handguns only; legal for those 18 and older. Permits still available. |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Pepper spray and stun guns are legal to carry without a permit. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Most public areas, private property (with consent), and personal vehicles. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Schools, government buildings, polling places, and areas posted “no firearms.” |
| States honored? | ✅ Tennessee recognizes all state-issued handgun carry permits. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ Tennessee handgun carry permits (standard or enhanced) are honored in these states:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 8 Years. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Carry privileges apply only to handguns. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Optional. Tennessee offers standard and enhanced permits; enhanced offers broader reciprocity.
|
✅ Legal without a permit for handguns only; applies to those 18 and older.
✅ Permitless for handguns only; legal for those 18 and older. Permits still available.
✅ Pepper spray and stun guns are legal to carry without a permit.
✅ Most public areas, private property (with consent), and personal vehicles.
🚫 Schools, government buildings, polling places, and areas posted “no firearms.”
✅ Tennessee recognizes all state-issued handgun carry permits.
✅ Tennessee handgun carry permits (standard or enhanced) are honored in these states:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 8 Years.
🚫 No. Carry privileges apply only to handguns.
ℹ️ Optional. Tennessee offers standard and enhanced permits; enhanced offers broader reciprocity.
- Issued by Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS)
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & State Info | |
| Online & In‑Person Training | |
| Local Classes & Academies | |
| Hunter Education |
Tennessee Leadership
- Born: October 9, 1959 (Franklin, TN)
- Term Started: January 19, 2019
- Previous Role: President and CEO of Lee Company (1992–2016)
- Born: June 6, 1952 (Laurel, MS)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2019
- Committees:
- Armed Services
- Commerce Science and Transportation
- Judiciary
- Veterans’ Affairs
- Born: August 14, 1959 (Gallatin, TN)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2021
- Committees:
- Banking Housing and Urban Affairs
- Foreign Relations
- Rules and Administration