Tennessee Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

Yes. As of July 1, 2021, permitless open carry is legal for anyone meeting the 7 criteria in the permitless carry section above.

[Tennessee Code Annotated, § 39-17-1307]

You must be at least 18 years of age.

Yes. Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess for self-defense, without a permit.

No. There are no restrictions on handgun magazines in Tennessee.

Yes. Unlike what may exist In other states, it is a crime under Tennessee law to carry a firearm with the “intent to go armed”. The 2021 law created a statutory “exception” to Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-1307(g) and (h), provided seven specific conditions are met. Therefore, as of July 1, 2021, permitless open and concealed carry is legal for anyone:

• At least 18 years old or older. (In April 2021, the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) sued the state of Tennessee for prohibiting 18- to 20-year-olds from carrying a concealed firearm in public or from obtaining a permit, stating that these restrictions were unconstitutional. On Jan. 23, 2023, Attorneys for the state of Tennessee entered into an agreed order in federal court with the FPC. The order stipulates that the state’s restrictions were unconstitutional and that they will no longer be enforced. The order immediately went into effect).
• That may lawfully possess a handgun;
• That is in a place where the person has a right to be;
• That has not been convicted of stalking;
• That has not been convicted of the offense of driving under the influence of an intoxicant in this or any other state 2 or more times within the prior 10 years or one time within the prior five years;
• That has not been adjudicated as a mental defective, judicially committed to, or hospitalized in, a mental institution, or had a court appoint a conservator for the person by reason of a mental defect; and
• Is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm by 18 U.S.C. 922(g) as it existed on Jan. 1, 2021.

[Tennessee Code Annotated, §§ 39-17-1307(a)(1) and 39-17-1307(g) and (h)]

Yes, with an enhanced HCP or a concealed carry permit from a state that Tennessee honors.

[Tenn. Code. Ann. § 39-17-1311(H)]

Yes, without a permit, unless posted and provided you don’t consume any alcohol.

[Tenn. Code. Ann. § 39-17-1321]

Private businesses may restrict or deny concealed carry on their premises. The individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

[Tenn. Code. Ann. § 39-17-1359(b)]

Yes, for military personnel on active duty in the state and persons who work in the state on a regular basis provided they hold a valid concealed carry permit in their home state.

There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Tennessee. A permit holder must have the permit in the holder's immediate possession at all times when carrying a handgun in a location or manner that would be prohibited if not for the person's status as a concealed handgun carry permit holder or an enhanced handgun carry permit holder and must display the permit on demand of a law enforcement officer under such circumstances.

[Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-17-1351(n)(1)]

Yes, the state has preemption of firearms laws in Tennessee, except municipalities may regulate:

• The carrying of firearms by local government employees or independent contractors when acting in the course and scope of their employment or contract; and
• The discharge of firearms within the limits of the city, county, town municipality or metropolitan government.

As of July 1, 2021, local governments may not prohibit an enhanced handgun carry permit holder from possessing a handgun on public property unless the local government provides a security system consisting of metal detectors and inspection by trained personnel for such property. However, local governments will not be required to provide metal detectors and security inspections in order to prohibit concealed handgun carry permit holders from possessing firearms on public property.  

[Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1314]

No definition of brandishing was found in Tennessee law.However, a person commits an offense who, in a public place and with intent to cause public annoyance or alarm, engages in fighting or in violent or threatening behavior.

[Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-305]

Yes, provided the signs which are posted at the discretion of the property owner/manager strictly comply with the content requirements in Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-1359, relative to the images and wording on the sign.  Prohibited areas must be posted with appropriately worded signs in prominent locations or portions of the property or building where weapon possession is prohibited or restricted. Concealed Handgun Carry Permit holders are subject to this prohibition, although a property owner may make an exception for a handgun to be carried in a concealed manner by a person authorized to do so. 

[Tenn. Code. Ann. § 39-17-1359]

No. Permits are not required when purchasing a handgun in Tennessee.

No.

No. Handgun registration is not required in Tennessee.

Yes. A permit is not required for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm in the person’s place of residence, place of business or premises. A private landlord can prohibit tenants, including those who hold handgun carry permits, from possessing firearms within a leased premises. Such a prohibition may be imposed through a clause in the lease and must meet the terms of TCA § 66-28-402.

[Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1308(a)(3)]

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 SecurityHandgun Permit OfficeP.O. Box 23710Nashville TN 37202

As of Jan. 1, 2020, the existing permit has been redesignated as the 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.

Lifetime Enhanced HCP$300 or $200 if upgrading from an 8 year permit

Enhanced HCP$100 for the initial permit & $50 for renewal$65 for active duty or honorably discharged members of the military

Concealed HCP$65 for the initial 8-year permit

8 years

Link to online application

Two-tiered Carry Permit SystemOn May 29, 2019, the Governor signed a bill into law which created a two tier carry permit system. The law, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2020, created a concealed handgun carry permit which requires the handgun be carried concealed (HCP) and redesignated the former existing permit as an enhanced handgun carry permit (EHCP). 

How to Apply for a Tennessee CHCPThe new concealed handgun carry permit (HCP) is cheaper and requires no live-firearm training, but it can be carried in fewer public places. As of Jan. 1, 2020, concealed handgun carry permits will require the applicant to:

• Apply online or in person by making an appointment at a Driver Services Center;
• Provide proof of identity, full SSN) and permanent residency;
• Be a resident of Tennessee. If you do not currently have a Tennessee driver license, you must submit two proofs of Tennessee residency with your name and resident address (documents must be current and within last 4 months);
• Have a photograph taken;
• Provide Proof of demonstrated competence with a handgun by a training or safety course (an minimum 90 minute online course will be made available) taken within 1 year of application along with a CCP Proof of Training form; and
• Pay the fee.

Once the transaction is complete, the examiner will provide you with the instructions for being fingerprinted.

Concealed handgun carry permit holders will not be allowed to carry in the locations covered by Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1311 which includes public parks, natural areas, historic parks, nature trails, campgrounds, forests, greenways, waterways, or other similar public places that are owned or operated by the state, a county, a municipality, or instrumentality of the state, a county, or municipality.

Concealed HCP Holders and Under Permitless Carry

• Any public school campus, grounds, recreation area or athletic field except in parking lots (and for school employees who satisfy specific conditions);
• 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 portion of a religious institution while it is being used for school purposes; and
• Any public institutions of higher education, except for employees who have provided written notification to the appropriate law enforcement agency (except in parking areas).

[Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1309]

• Any penal institutions where prisoners are quartered [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-16-201(b)(1)];
• Day use areas, campgrounds, and other developed recreational lands on Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) property [TVA Rules for Use of TVA Public Lands];
• Any meeting on a property owned by an individual, business or government, if posted [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1359(a)(1)];
• Any place while under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• While consuming alcohol in an establishment open to the public where alcohol is served for consumption on the premises [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1321(b)(1)];
• Secured areas of airports as well as additional areas that may be posted [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1359(a)(1)]; and
• Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or state law or regulation.

See Can Carry Section for locations where E-CHCL holders may carry.

There are no prohibited knives under Tennessee statutes. It is legal to carry a knife openly or concealed as long as there is no intent to commit a crime. It is an offense to carry weapons on school property.

[Tenn. Code. Ann. §§ 39-17-1307(d), 39-17-1309 and 39-17-1324]

Yes, individuals who possess a carry permit may possess their handgun while on TWRA wildlife management areas, public hunting areas, or refuges open to hunter access. The handgun may not be used for taking game unless specifically permitted by TWRA regulation. TWRA will apply this same interpretation to those possessing carry permits while hunting on private lands.

[TN Wildlife Resource Agency FAQs]

Yes. Pursuant to TCA 39-17-1351, persons with a valid handgun carry permit may possess a handgun the entire year while on the premise of any TWRA refuge, public hunting area, wildlife management area (including the North and South Cherokee WMA), and private land. For other federally managed properties hunters should contact that specific facility or location. Nothing in this subsection shall authorize a person to use any handgun to hunt unless such person is in full compliance with all wildlife laws, rules and regulations.