Gun Laws in Tennessee

Subject/Law	Long Guns	Hand Guns	Relevant Statutes	Notes
State permit required to purchase?	No	No
Firearm registration?	No	No
Assault weapon law?	No	No
Magazine capacity restriction?	No	No
Owner license required?	No	No
Permit required for concealed carry?	N/A	No	T.C.A. § 39-17-1307 T.C.A. § 39-17-1308 T.C.A. § 39-17-1351 T.C.A. § 39-17-1366	Tennessee is a "shall issue" state for citizens and lawful permanent residents who are 18 years or older. Concealed and Enhanced permits are issued. Enhanced permits are issued to those who complete a training course. Permitless carry took effect on July 1, 2021.
Permit required for open carry?	N/A	No	T.C.A. § 39-17-1307 T.C.A. § 39-17-1308	May carry handguns loaded openly without permit. Long guns may only be carried unloaded.
Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground law?	Yes	Yes	T.C.A. § 39-11-611
State preemption of local restrictions?	Yes	Yes	T.C.A. § 39-17-1314 T.C.A. § 39-17-1359	Local governments may post signs to prohibit carry on government property. Local governments may not, however, prohibit firearms in locally owned/operated parks and other recreational areas.
NFA weapons restricted?	No	No
Shall certify?	Yes	Yes	T.C.A. § 39-17-1361	Shall certify within 15 days.
Peaceable Journey laws?	No	No
Background checks required for private sales?	No	No

Gun Laws by State: Tennessee

Understanding Gun Laws in Tennessee

In the state of Tennessee, the laws surrounding the purchase, ownership, and use of firearms are relatively straightforward. This guide will help you understand these laws and what they mean for you as a resident of Tennessee.

Permits and Purchases

Firstly, it's important to note that in Tennessee, you do not need a state permit to purchase either long guns or handguns. This means that you can purchase a firearm without having to first obtain a specific permit from the state. Additionally, Tennessee does not require firearm registration for either type of gun.

Assault Weapon Laws and Magazine Capacity

When it comes to assault weapons and magazine capacity, Tennessee also has no specific laws in place. This means that there are no restrictions on owning assault weapons or on the capacity of magazines for firearms.

Owner License

In Tennessee, there is no requirement for gun owners to have a specific license. This means that once you have legally purchased your firearm, you do not need to obtain a separate license to own it.

Concealed and Open Carry

As for carrying firearms, Tennessee has specific laws. For concealed carry, no permit is required. This is due to the state's "shall issue" policy, which means that anyone who is a citizen or lawful permanent resident and is 18 years or older can carry a concealed firearm. However, the state does issue Enhanced permits to those who complete a training course. As of July 1, 2021, permitless carry is in effect.

For open carry, no permit is required either. You can carry a handgun openly and loaded without a permit, but long guns can only be carried if they are unloaded.

Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground Law

Tennessee has a Castle Doctrine or Stand Your Ground law in place. This law allows you to use force, including deadly force, to protect yourself in your own home (your "castle") without the duty to retreat first.

State Preemption of Local Restrictions

Tennessee also has a state preemption of local restrictions. This means that local governments can post signs to prohibit the carry of firearms on government property, but they cannot prohibit firearms in locally owned or operated parks and other recreational areas.

NFA Weapons

There are no restrictions on NFA (National Firearms Act) weapons in Tennessee. This means that weapons such as machine guns, short-barreled rifles, and destructive devices are not specifically restricted by state law.

Shall Certify

Tennessee has a "shall certify" law in place. This means that the state is required to certify the transfer of any firearm within 15 days.

Background Checks for Private Sales

Finally, it's important to note that Tennessee does not require background checks for private sales of firearms. This means that if you are purchasing a firearm from a private seller, you do not need to undergo a background check.

Understanding the gun laws in your state is crucial for responsible gun ownership. Always make sure to stay informed and up to date on the laws in your area.