Tennessee Gun Laws
Tennessee is a “Shall Issue” state and it’s considered a gun friendly state where there’s no requirement for purchase approval of firearms. You can submit an application for a conceal carry permit online or at a driver service center, which are processed by the Department of Safety.
If you’re a non-resident you can only obtain a conceal carry if you work in the state regularly.
New applicants must complete an 8 hour training course, with exemptions for military personal.


Tennessee Gun Laws Quick Facts
Open Carry Permitted? | Yes! |
Carry In Vehicle? | Yes! |
Carry In State Park? | Yes! |
Carry In Restaurants? | Yes! |
Constitutional Carry? | No |
No Weapon Sign Enforced? | Yes! |
Must Notify Officer? | No |
Tennessee CCW Reciprocity List
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How Reciprocity Works In Tennessee
Tennessee honors all concealed carry permits from other states provided the person carrying a handgun has the permit in their possession whenever carrying a firearm.
Get Your Concealed Carry Weapon Permit Online in Minutes
Reciprocity Agreements In Tennessee
Tennessee has signed reciprocity agreements with 19 other states. A full list of the states that have reciprocity agreements with Tennessee can be found on the government website.
Tennessee: Where Is CCW Allowed?
Places Allowed
- State parks
- State and national forests
- Road side rest areas
- Vehicle
- All areas of the state, except those listed as Off-Limits
Places Not Allowed
- Any playground, civic center or other building facility, area or property owned, used or operated by any municipal, county or state government for recreational purposes
- 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 public or private school building or bus
- Any public or private school campus, grounds, recreation area or athletic field
- Individual, business, or government meetings. Notice of such prohibition must be posted
- While under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Airports
- Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law.
Tennessee: Conceal Carry Laws
NO – WITHOUT A PERMIT Without permit – No With a Permit – Yes You can only open carry a handgun if you have a permit to carry a concealed firearm. Open carry is not common in cities and mainly used as a carry method in rural areas.
YES – WITHOUT A PERMIT It is legal to carry a handgun openly or concealed in a vehicle that is privately owned, this includes boats and RVs. No permit is required and the firearm can be located anywhere in the vehicle but not on your person. The Law 39.17.1307 – Unlawful carrying
YES
It is legal to carry in the following areas; State Parks: YES State/National Forests: YES – 39.17.1311 (H) State Wildlife Management Areas: YES – 39.17.1311 (H) Road Side Rest Areas: YES
YES In Restaurants That Serve Alcohol “Yes” or “No” states if you can carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol. Some restaurants may be posted with “NO GUN” signs. Check with the staff if this means just the bar area. If we have indicated a “Yes” then it should be legal to have a meal without drinking alcohol.
YES
Tennessee gun laws give the force of law to “No Weapons” signs. There are legal penalties for entering a private property or business that has posted these signs.
NO – MUST INFORM OFFICER There is nothing in Tennessee gun laws that state you must inform a law enforcement officer you have a firearm when approached on official business. The law does require that you carry your permit at all times during which the permittee is in actual possession of a concealed handgun and display it to an officer if he requests a person to do so. The Law 39.17.1351 – Handgun carry permits
Gun Resources by State
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- Connecticut
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- District of Columbia
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- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
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- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
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- Wyoming
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
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- California
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- Georgia
- Hawaii
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- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
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- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
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- Tennessee
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- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
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- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
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- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
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- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming