Tennessee Firearm Laws – Complete Guide

Comprehensive analysis of Tennessee gun laws, permit requirements, carry regulations, knife laws, and recent legislative updates for responsible gun owners.

Tennessee Gun Laws at a Glance

Tennessee is a permit-optional (“permitless”) carry state for handguns. As of July 1, 2021, qualifying adults may carry a handgun openly or concealed without a permit, subject to location limits; the statute sets 21+ as the general floor, with a military/veteran exception at 18–20. The state preempts most local firearm and knife rules, uses the TBI TICS system for dealer background checks, and has robust self-defense protections (no duty to retreat; castle doctrine presumptions). Out-of-state handgun permits are recognized.

Permitless Handgun Carry: Allowed for most adults meeting eligibility requirements.
Two Permit Options Remain: Enhanced HCP (EHCP) and Concealed HCP (CHCP).
State Preemption: Broad preemption of local gun and knife rules.
Dealer Background Checks via TICS: TBI is point-of-contact for NICS.
Stand Your Ground / Castle Doctrine: No duty to retreat; home/vehicle presumptions.

Areas of Restriction

Concealed Carry

Constitutional Carry (Permitless Handgun Carry)

Eligibility Requirements: Effective 2021-07-01, Tennessee allows permitless handgun carry for individuals who:

Are 21+, or 18–20 if honorably discharged/retired or certain current military statuses;
Are not prohibited possessors under state/federal law;
Meet statutory exceptions for vehicle and general carry;
Comply with all location-based restrictions.

Permitless Carry Limitations

Age Restriction: General minimum 21; 18–20 only if qualifying military/veteran.
Prohibited Locations: Schools, courts, properly posted properties, and other listed places still off-limits.
No Reciprocity: Permitless status is not a license; for interstate carry, a TN permit is advisable.
Enhanced Penalties: Violations at posted or sensitive locations can trigger criminal penalties despite permitless carry.

Tennessee Handgun Carry Permits (EHCP / CHCP)

Advantages of Licensed Carry

Interstate Recognition: Out-of-state travel is facilitated through reciprocity/recognition; many states honor TN permits.
Access to More Places: EHCP historically recognized in some additional venues outside TN depending on destination rules.
Formal Proof of Eligibility: A physical permit can simplify encounters with law enforcement and travel checks.
Lifetime Option (EHCP): Lifetime EHCP available for a one-time fee.

Application Requirements

Age: 18+ for EHCP or CHCP eligibility.
Background Check: TBI and related checks per TICS and permit processing.
Training Course: EHCP requires a state-approved live-fire course; agency materials indicate 6+ hours with range component; many schools run an 8-hour format with written and shooting qualification.
Proficiency Demonstration: Pass written and live-fire qualification.
Fee: CHCP $65; EHCP $100; Lifetime EHCP $300 ($265 military), $200 upgrade.

Disqualifying Factors

Prohibited possessor status under federal or state law.
Disqualifying criminal convictions (felony or specified misdemeanors).
Certain substance abuse or mental health prohibitions per background check standards.
False statements or failure to meet training requirements.
Other statutory bars.

Open Carry

Handgun Open Carry

Permitted. Permitless carry allows open or concealed carry of handguns for those meeting eligibility criteria; EHCP also authorizes open or concealed carry.

Carry Methods

Holster/Retention Recommended: Not mandated statewide but prudent for safety and scrutiny reduction.
Permit On Person if Licensed: Licensed carriers must present the permit on demand.
Posted Property Rules Apply: Respect compliant signage.
Sensitive Places Off-Limits: Courts, schools, certain government facilities.

Long Gun Open Carry

General Provisions

“Intent to Go Armed” Rule: Carrying a rifle or shotgun with intent to go armed is criminalized unless a defense applies.
Unloaded Defense: It is a defense if the long gun is unloaded, not concealed on/about the person, and ammunition not in the immediate vicinity.
Vehicle Exception: Separate exception for lawful possession of firearms and ammo in a motor vehicle or boat by a lawful possessor.
Location Limits Still Apply: Schools, courts, and posted property remain restricted.

Federal Requirements Applied in Tennessee

Background Check Process

Licensed Dealer Sales: All FFL sales run through TICS (TBI as state POC for NICS).
Private Sales: No state-mandated background check for private sales; federal prohibited-person rules still apply.
Out-of-State Purchases: Must comply with federal law and dealer state law.
Prohibited Persons: Federal categories enforced via TICS.

Age Requirements

Handguns: 21+ from FFL; private sales governed by federal law and TN law; permitless carry age described above.
Long Guns: 18+ from FFL consistent with federal law.
Ammunition: Federal 18 for rifle/shotgun ammo; 21 for handgun ammo from FFLs.

Tennessee-Specific Purchase Laws

Waiting Periods

State Waiting Period: None; transfers proceed upon TICS approval.

Purchase Limitations

Purchase Limits: None statewide.
Registration: No firearm registration requirement.
Permit to Purchase: None; standard federal/TICS checks apply.

Prohibited Locations

Absolutely Prohibited Locations

School property and buses: Criminal offense; mandated felony warning signage.
Buildings with judicial proceedings in progress: Absolute prohibition on firearms.
Posted premises: Off-limits when signs meet statutory specs.
Certain secure government facilities with screening: Restricted entry.
On-premises alcohol establishments while consuming: Prohibited to possess while consuming.

Government Buildings

Courts/judicial buildings: Prohibited as above.
Parks and recreation areas: Governed by statewide rules; check local postings.
Other state facilities: Subject to posting and screening rules.

Business Prohibition Authority

Signage: “NO FIREARMS ALLOWED” with required dimensions and statutory reference.
Scope: Applies to buildings or property properly posted.
Parking Areas / Employees: Employers generally cannot ban lawfully stored firearms in employees’ vehicles if conditions met.
Enforcement: Violation of posted property can result in fines.

General Storage Requirements

No statewide mandatory home storage tatute;

the state promotes safe storage and offers free cable locks.

Child Access Prevention

Recommendations: Use locking devices or safes; follow TBI/TN safety guidance.
Criminal liability: General endangerment and unlawful possession statutes can apply if access leads to offenses.

Vehicle Storage

General Provisions

Motor Vehicles and Boats: Lawful possessors may keep firearms and ammo in vehicles/boats.
Employee Parking Areas: Employers may not prohibit lawful storage in private vehicles if statutory conditions are satisfied.
Concealment/Locking: Follow parking-lot statute requirements for storage out of ordinary observation and locking when unattended.
School Property Exception: Separate, stricter rules apply on school grounds.

Transportation Rules

Licensed/Constitutional Carry Holders

Handguns: May carry in vehicles subject to sensitive-place rules and intoxication limits.
Show ID/Permit if Licensed: Present permit on demand when carrying under EHCP.
Posted Property Still Controls: Comply with signage.
Alcohol Premises: Do not consume while possessing in on-premises establishments.

Unlicensed Individuals

Long Guns: Defense applies if unloaded, not concealed on/about the person, and ammo not in immediate vicinity.
Vehicle Possession: Lawful to possess in a vehicle if not a prohibited person and in lawful possession of the vehicle.
Observe Posted Premises: Same signage rules apply.
School Property: Strict prohibitions with limited defenses.

Federal Safe Passage (FOPA)

Lawful Origin and Destination: Must be legal to possess at both ends.
Unloaded and Secured: Firearm unloaded; ammo separate; locked container if no trunk.
Inaccessible Storage: Not readily accessible from passenger compartment.
Continuous Journey: Minimize stops.

Self-Defense Laws

Castle Doctrine

Home Protection

Presumption: Force likely to cause death or serious bodily injury inside a residence, business, dwelling, or occupied vehicle carries a presumption of reasonable fear when repelling unlawful, forcible entry.
Limits: Presumption does not apply if the defender is committing certain crimes or using the location to further unlawful activity.
Invited Guests Covered: Protection extends to household members and invited guests.
Scope: Applies to homes, businesses, dwellings, and occupied vehicles.

Vehicle and Workplace

Vehicle: Covered by presumption when occupied.
Workplace/Business: Included in locations for castle presumption.
No Presumption for Unlawful Activity: Presumption excluded if using premises to further unlawful acts.
Other Justifications: Standard self-defense rules still apply where presumption does not.

Stand Your Ground

Public Places

No Duty to Retreat: If lawfully present and not engaged in felony/Class A misdemeanor conduct.
Reasonable Belief Standard: Must reasonably believe force is immediately necessary; higher threshold for deadly force.
Human-Trafficking Victim Carve-out: Statutory protection for certain victims.
Arrest Standards: General criminal procedure applies; consult counsel after any incident.

Legal Protections

Criminal Justification: Law outlines justifications and presumptions.
Scope & Limits: Does not legalize force if defender is committing specified crimes or provoking.
Civil Exposure: Separate civil liabilities may apply depending on facts.
Burden and Procedures: Case-specific; consult counsel.

Knife and Blade Laws

Maximum Legal Blade Length

State Maximum: No statewide blade-length limit.
Local Preemption: State preempts local knife regulation.

Categories of Knives

Tennessee is broadly knife-friendly; most possession and carry are lawful, with school property and posted/sensitive locations restricted.

Prohibited and Federally Regulated Knives

Switchblades/Automatics: Legal under state law since 2014 reforms; check location restrictions.
Ballistic Knives: Subject to federal prohibition in interstate commerce.
Federal Interstate Ban: Federal Switchblade Act governs commerce in switchblades and ballistic knives.

State-Specific Legal Knives

Gravity Knives: No specific state prohibition; general weapon and location statutes still apply.
Butterfly/Balisong: Not specifically restricted under current state law.
Assisted-Opening: Treated as ordinary folding knives.
Concealed/Disguised Knives: No statewide ban outside sensitive places and general weapon statutes.

Generally Legal Knives

Pocket/Folding Knives: No state blade-length restriction; observe school and posted-property rules.
Fixed/Utility Knives: Same as above.

Carry Restrictions

Concealed Carry: No general statewide knife-concealment ban, but see school and posted-property restrictions.
Open Carry: Generally lawful; long-knife carry that evidences intent to go armed in certain contexts can trigger weapon statutes.
Restricted Locations: Schools, courts, and posted premises.

Local Ordinance Preemption

Status: Preemption of local knife rules statewide.

Significant Differences from Gun Laws

No State Blade Length Limit: Knives lack the handgun-only scope and age carve-outs.
School/Posted Places Apply Similarly: Location restrictions largely mirror firearms.
Prohibited Weapons List: “Knuckles” remain prohibited; switchblades not listed.