Tennessee Gun Control Laws

By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Jeff Burtka, Esq. | Last reviewed January 12, 2023

The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of U.S. citizens to own firearms, but states are free to establish certain limits to how guns are purchased and carried. While Tennessee gun control laws are relatively mild, the state requires background checks for gun purchases from licensed dealers and has some other limited restrictions.

The main provisions of Tennessee's gun control laws can be found in the following chart.

Relevant Statutes (Laws)	Tennessee Code, Sections 39-17-1301 through 39-17-1366 Prohibited weapons - Section 39-17-1302 Firearm ammunition; restrictions - Section 39-17-1304 Carrying or possession of weapons - Section 39-17-1307 Carrying or possession of weapons; defenses - Section 39-17-1308 Carrying or possession of weapons; school buildings and grounds - Section 39-17-1309 Sales; requirements; background check - Section 39-17-1316 Application for enhanced handgun carry permit - Section 39-17-1351 Concealed handgun carry permits - Section 39-17-1366
Illegal Arms	With a few exceptions, Tennessee prohibits the possession of machine guns
Waiting Period	Tennessee does not have a waiting period between purchase and delivery of a firearm.
Who May Not Own	Tennessee law prohibits people from possessing a firearm if they: Have been convicted of a felony crime of violence, an attempt to commit a felony crime of violence, or a felony involving the use of a deadly weapon Have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence Are subject to an order of protection or are prohibited from possessing a firearm under any other state or federal law Are under 18 years of age Tennessee also prohibits anyone with any felony conviction from possessing a handgun.
License Required?	Tennessee does not require a license or permit to own or purchase a gun and does not require owners to register firearms.
Concealed Carry License Required?	Tennessee requires anyone with a concealed carry license to carry it on their person at all times and display it to a law enforcement officer upon demand
Open Carried Allowed?	Open carry is legal for people 21 and older or people 18 to 20 who are in the United States armed forces or are honorably discharged from the military.
Eligibility for a Concealed Carry License	State residents may obtain a concealed carry permit if they want the ability to conceal carry in a state that recognizes a permit from another state. To obtain a concealed carry permit in Tennessee, a person must: Be at least 21 years old or at least 18 years old and an active member of the United States military or honorably discharged from the military Not have been convicted of a criminal offense or currently charged with a felony or certain misdemeanors Not be a fugitive from justice Not be an unlawful user of or addicted to alcohol or any controlled substance Not have been a patient in a rehabilitation program or hospital for alcohol or drug addiction pursuant to a court order within ten years Not have been a voluntary patient in a rehabilitation program or hospital for alcohol or drug addiction within three years Not have been convicted of driving under the influence two or more times within ten years Not have been adjudicated as a mental defective: hospitalized in a mental institution; appointed a conservator by reason of a mental defect; judicially determined to be disabled by reason of mental illness, developmental disability, or another mental incapacity; and found by a court to pose an immediate substantial likelihood of serious harm within 7 years Not be unlawfully present in the United States Not have been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces Not have renounced their United States citizenship Not be receiving social security disability benefits by reason of alcohol dependence, drug dependence or mental disability
Machine Gun Laws	Machine guns are prohibited in Tennessee unless a machine gun complies with one of the limited exceptions for machine gun ownership under federal law.
Penalties for Illegal Firearm Possession	Sentencing ranges for firearm offenses vary depending on the offense. Some firearm possession offenses are misdemeanors, but others are serious felonies. A misdemeanor's punishment carries a maximum punishment of 1 year and a $2,500 fine. On the other end of the sentencing range, possessing a machine gun or sawed-off shotgun or rifle is a Class E felony punishable by imprisonment for a term of 1 to 6 years and up to a $3,000 fine.
Penalties for Illegal Possession on or Near School Grounds	It is illegal to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, a firearm in any school building or bus, on any school campus, grounds, recreation area, athletic field, or any other property owned, operated, or while in use by any board of education, school, college or university. If the offender carries the firearm with an intent to go armed, it is a Class E felony and is punishable by imprisonment for a term of 1 to 6 years and up to a $3,000 fine. If the offender did not have the intent to go armed, it is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for a term up to 6 months and a fine up to $500.

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

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