Tennessee allows permitless concealed carry for those 21+ (18+ for military) who can legally possess a firearm under Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1351(y) (effective July 1, 2021). An Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit is optional for reciprocity (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1351). You must be 21, complete training, and pass a background check for the permit. Prohibited places include schools and courthouses (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1309). Violations of carry restrictions are misdemeanors (up to 1 year).
Costs: Permit fee is $100 for 8 years. Training is $50-$100. Total: $150-$200.
Processing Time: Up to 90 days.
Renewal: $50 every 8 years.
Reciprocity: Tennessee honors permits from all states; over 30 states honor Tennessee’s permit.
Tennessee allows open carry without a permit for those 21+ (18+ for military) who can legally possess a firearm (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1307(g)). Restrictions apply in schools and courthouses (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1309). Violations of carry restrictions are misdemeanors (up to 1 year).
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Tennessee has no state bans on assault weapons or large-capacity magazines (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1302). Machine guns, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and silencers require federal ATF compliance (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1302). Violations of federal NFA rules are felonies (up to 10 years).
Costs: ATF tax stamp is $200 per item.
Processing Time: 6-12 months for ATF approval.
Tennessee follows federal law for dealer sales requiring a background check under 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). Age minimum is 21 for handguns from dealers, 18 for possession or private sales, and 18 for long guns. No state waiting period or permit required. Private sales are unregulated. Violations of selling to prohibited persons (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1316) are felonies (up to 6 years).
Costs: Background check is free; dealers may charge $10-$25.
Processing Time: Instant, up to 3 days if delayed.
Tennessee imposes no state requirement for firearm registration under Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1315, and there’s no mandate to report lost or stolen guns. However, restricted items like machine guns, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and silencers—known as NFA items—fall under federal registration law per 26 U.S.C. § 5841. These must be registered with the ATF, a requirement Tennessee recognizes in Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1302. Violations of federal NFA registration rules are felonies (up to 10 years).
Costs: Federal tax stamp for NFA items is $200.
Tennessee has no general storage laws. It’s illegal to provide firearms to minors under 18 without parental consent (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1317). Violations of this restriction are misdemeanors (up to 1 year) or felonies (up to 6 years) if harm occurs.
Sources: [1]
Tennessee has a strong Castle Doctrine under Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-611. Deadly force is justified in your home, vehicle, or business if you reasonably believe it’s necessary to prevent imminent harm. No duty to retreat applies in these cases or in public. Excessive force risks manslaughter (up to 15 years).
Sources: [1]