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? 
             No
        
             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

States Honoring CCW

            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
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

          

States NOT Honoring CCW

            California
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Illinois
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
New Jersey
New York
Oregon
Rhode Island
Washington

Honors These States CCW Permits

            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
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

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

Click Here to Get Your CCW PERMIT

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

Open Carry

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.

Carry In Vehicle

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

Carry In State Parks

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

Carry In Restaurants

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.

Constitutional Carry

No Weapon Signs Enforced

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.

Must Notify Officer

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

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