Tennessee Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

Constitutional Carry?

Does Tennessee allow constitutional carry?

Open Carry Permitted?

Is open carry permitted in Tennessee?

Gun Permit Licensure?

If Tennessee requires a permit to carry a concealed firearm, how are those permits issued?

Minimum Age for Concealed Carry?

What is the minimum age in Tennessee to get a concealed carry permit?

Weapons Other Than Handguns Allowed?

Can you conceal carry weapons other than handguns in Tennessee with a concealed carry permit (or under permitless carry if applicable)?

Non-Resident Permitting?

Does Tennessee issue concealed carry permits to non-residents?

Public Access to Concealed Carry Registry?

Does Tennessee allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law?

Carry in Vehicle?

Can you carry a concealed firearm in a vehicle in Tennessee?

Carry at Roadside Rest Areas?

Can you carry a concealed firearm at roadside rest areas in Tennessee?

Carry in State/National Parks, State/National Forests and Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)?

Can you carry a concealed firearm in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas in Tennessee?

Carry in Restaurants That Serve Alcohol?

Can you carry a firearm in restaurants that serve alcohol in Tennessee?

Store in a Vehicle in an Employee Parking Lot?

Does Tennessee have laws relating to storing firearms in private vehicles in an employee parking lot?

Must Notify Officer You're Carrying?

Are you required to notify a police officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Tennessee?

Magazine Limits for Handguns?

Does Tennessee have magazine capacity restrictions for handguns?

Ammunition Restrictions?

Does Tennessee have ammunition restrictions?

"No Weapons Allowed" Signs Enforced?

Are "No Weapons Allowed" signs enforced in Tennessee? If yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.

Preemption?

Does Tennessee have preemption laws related to concealed carry (i.e. Does state law supersede local laws regarding the possession of handguns)?

Red Flag Law?

Does Tennessee have a red flag law?

Tasers or Stun Guns?

Is it legal to own a taser or stun gun in Tennessee?

Requirements:

An applicant must:

• Be at least 21 years old;
• Have completed an approved firearms safety course within the last 12 months;
• Be a resident of the state of Tennessee;
• Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent residency;
• Not be receiving social security disability benefits by reason of alcohol dependence, drug dependence or mental disability;
• Not have been convicted of a criminal offense or is currently under indictment or information for any criminal offense that is designated as a felony, or that is a disqualifying misdemeanor for driving under the influence, stalking, or domestic violence;
• Not have been convicted of stalking;
• Not be subject to any order of protection;
• Not be a fugitive from justice;
• Not be an unlawful user of, or addicted to, alcohol or any controlled substance, and the applicant has not been a patient in a rehabilitation program or hospitalized for alcohol or controlled substance abuse or addiction within 10 years from the date of application;
• Not have been convicted of the offense of driving under the influence of an intoxicant in this or any other state two or more times within 10 years from the date of application and that none of such convictions has occurred within 5 years from the date of application or renewal;
• Not have been adjudicated as mentally defective; not have been committed to or hospitalized in a mental institution; not have had a court appoint a conservator for the applicant by reason of a mental defect; have not been judicially determined to be disabled by reason of a mental illness, development disability or other mental incapacity; and have not, within 7 years from the date of application, been found by a court to pose an immediate substantial likelihood of serious harm because of mental illness; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

Fees:

$100 for the initial permit or $300 for lifetime permit

$50 for 8 year renewal or $200 for a lifetime upgrade

As of 1/1/20 

Enhanced Carry permit $100 for the initial permit & $50 for renewal

Standard permit $65 for the initial 8-year permit

Valid For:

8 years

Processing Time:

90 days

Application:

Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permits:

To qualify for a non-resident permit, the applicant must reside in another state and work in Tennessee on a regular basis. The other requirements are that they have been employed for at least 6 months before making the application and hold a valid concealed carry permit in their home state. They also have a limited time to file the application: within a 6-month period AFTER having worked in the state for 6 months.
 

Enhanced Application:

As of Jan. 1, 2020, the existing permit will be redesignated as an enhanced handgun carry permit. Those who wish to obtain an enhanced carry permit may carry the gun openly or concealed to more places but must still take an 8-hour live training course from certified instructors, undergo a criminal background check and pay a $100 permit fee.

Name/Address Changes:

By law if you move, you are required to notify the state of your new address within 60 days. You may notify the Department of Safety to change your address on our records, online or in writing to Handgun Permit Office, P.O. Box 23710, Nashville TN 37202.

If you wish to receive a permit with your new address, or if you have misplaced or lost your handgun carry permit, you will need to apply for a duplicate by completing an application. You may get duplicate application at any Driver Services Center or by calling (615) 251-8590. 

Mail the application and the $5.00 fee payable by check or money order to:

Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security
Handgun Permit Office
P.O. Box 23710
Nashville TN 37202

Lost/Stolen Permits:

To receive a duplicate HCP, you will need to complete an online application or visit a Driver Services Center for a hard copy application. Complete and sign your application. Mail the application and the $5.00 fee to:

Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security Handgun Permit Office 
P.O. Box 23710 
Nashville, TN 37202

Step 1:

Complete a firearms training course if required.

Step 2:

Complete the online application or visit a Driver Services Center. You will need the following:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or residency;
• Photo ID – driver license, state ID card, etc.; and
• Training course certificate.

Step 3:

When your application is processed at the Driver Service Center, you will be given instructions on being fingerprinted.

Step 4:

You will be notified by mail if your application has been approved.

Step 1:

Handgun Permits can be renewed within 6 months before the expiry date. Permits can be renewed up to one cycle past the expiry date. A new application will need to be made if more than 8 years has elapsed since the expiry date.

Step 2:

Complete the online application or visit a Driver Services Center. You will need the following:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or residency; and
• Photo ID – driver license, state ID card, etc.

Pay the fee.

Step 3:

You will be notified by mail if your application has been approved.

Where Can I Carry a Concealed Firearm in Tennessee?

• Carry in restaurants that serve alcohol? Yes, as long as you don’t consume any alcohol.
• Carry in my vehicle without a permit/license? Yes, but not on your person.
• Carry in roadside rest areas? Yes.
• Carry in state/national parks, state/national forests, and WMAs? Yes. [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1311]
• Carry in places of worship? There is no State statute prohibiting concealed carry in places of worship. However, since places of worship are private property, they may post signs prohibiting firearms.

Where Can't I Carry a Concealed Firearm in Tennessee?

Places off-limits even with a permit/license

• Any public school campus, grounds, recreation area or athletic field;
• Any private school building, campus, grounds, recreation area or athletic field, unless there is a policy allowing carry;
• Any public or private school bus;
• Any public institutions of higher education, except for employees who have provided written notification to the appropriate law enforcement agency (except in parking areas);
• Municipalities can ban carry in parks if there is a school event taking place in the park;
• Any room in which judicial proceedings are in progress;
• Any penal institutions where prisoners are quatered;
• Day use areas, campgrounds, and other developed recreational lands on Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) property;
• Any property owned by an individual, business or government, if posted;
• Any place while consuming alcohol or when under the influence of alcohol or drugs; 
• Airports; and
• Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or state law or regulation.

Do firearms need to be registered in Tennessee?

No.

Is a permit required to purchase a gun in Tennessee?

No.

Are background checks required for private gun sales in Tennessee?

No.

Is there a waiting period after purchasing a firearm in Tennessee?

No.

What are the knife laws in Tennessee?

There are no prohibited knives under Tennessee statutes.

What are the laws regarding carrying a firearm while using alcohol or prescription medication in TN?

Not while consuming or under the influence per Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1321
As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.