Tennessee
Total prohibition Total freedom
0 ------ 10 ------ 20 ------ 30 ------ 40 ------ 50 ------ 60 ------ 70 ------ 80 ------ 90 ------ 100
^
Traveler's checklist:
*Standard firearms ownership:
unrestricted, no permit or license required*Semi-auto gun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
*Machine gun ownership:
no state restrictions, compliance with federal law only*Firearm law uniformity:
preemption law, cities prohibited from creating new laws*Right of Self-Defense: NRA-model castle doctrine, stand your ground in public areas
*Open carry:
prohibited unless one possesses a recognized permit to carry a handgun*Concealed carry:
licenses granted on a "shall issue" basis; automatic reciprocity foror secured in commercial gun cases anywhere in the vehicle
*State Parks: concealed handgun carry by recognized licensees permitted
*Restaurants serving alcohol: permittees may carry while eating in dining areas - see p.3
*Duty to notify LEO of permit status: upon demand of police officer
*Vehicle gun possession at colleges: prohibited by law
Tennessee is slightly more restrictive in its treatment of
firearms than some
of its neighbors. But the birthplace of Alvin York has a solid tradition
of private gun
ownership that should provide most travelers with an enjoyable visit.
Recognized permittees: A license is required to carry a
loaded handgun
either openly or concealed. Such permits are issued through the
Department of Public
Safety to qualified residents 21 years or older for a 4 year term. Tennessee recognizes
any valid, out-of-state permit for carrying a handgun as long as the
permittee is not a
resident of Tennessee and restricts his weapons' carry to handguns only. Nonresidents
are not issued permits unless they are
regularly employed in the state. Most areas off-limits
to permittee carry, such as colleges, civic centers & public recreation
buildings, are posted
with signage. These prohibitions can include all property owned or
operated by the entity.
Although "open areas" such as local parks and campgrounds are O.K.
under state law, localities
can still prohibit carry in these places by posting signs.
Persons without recognized permits: Travelers without valid permits are
prohibited from carrying
handguns with the "intent to go armed." The actions of the
person
and the state of the firearms that he has in his possession define this condition. If the weapons
are loaded and carried on his person, he is in
violation of the law unless he has a recognized
permit. Thus, vehicle carry of all handguns by non-licensed persons should be limited to ones
that are unloaded. The
weapons should be in plain view or secured in commercial gun cases.
Glove compartment or console box carry is not permitted. "Unloaded" refers to handguns that
are void of any ammunition in the magazines or chambers
and have no loaded magazines nearby.
Such weapons may be situated anywhere in
the vehicle except concealed on or about one's person.
All
Persons: Rifles and shotguns carried in a vehicle must remain unloaded
and
separate from ammunition unless one has a recognized carry permit. Tennessee allows
permittees
to possess magazine loaded, but chamber unloaded, long guns in vehicles.
Tennessee's preemption statute prevents localities from enacting
new laws regulating the
possession, ownership or transportation of firearms and
ammunition. The law grandfathers local
ordinances passed before 1986. But most aspects of licensed handgun carry are regulated exclusively
by the
state.