Tennessee is in an area of the country that remains friendly to gun owners for the most part. Tennessee gun laws match surrounding states in some issues involving firearms, but are more restrictive in other areas.
Residents can receive permits to openly carry firearms or concealed weapons after going through safety training and background checks. People can own guns without a permit if the weapons are kept in their homes.
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An attempt was made in 2014 to loosen Kentucky’s restrictions by allowing anyone who owned a gun to openly carry firearms in public without permits.
The state Senate passed the measure in resounding 25-2 vote, but a state house finance subcommittee
voted against it, 10-1. State Rep. Micah Van Huss, a Republican who sponsored the bill, decided not to call for a vote on the house floor.
Tennessee ranked 16th in the nation among the best states for gun owners, according to
Guns & Ammo. It has no restrictions on sporting rifles. Despite its failure in getting leniency for openly carrying firearms without permits, the state has a "no duty to retreat" law in defense of life.
However, nearby Kentucky and Georgia have more lenient gun laws than Tennessee. Georgia was ranked No. 3 on the list. It eliminated state licensing for dealers and simplified the conceal-carry weapon permit process. Georgians with conceal-carry permits can carry concealed handguns in bar establishments that allow it. Kentucky’s open carry laws, including in public parks and places, put it at No. 5.
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Missouri placed in the No. 11 spot with its gun-friendly self-defense laws and favorable concealed carry permits. Alabama also finished ahead of Tennessee in the 12th position for a lenient carry permit system and a strong use of force law for self-defense.
Neighboring Mississippi and North Carolina were just behind Tennessee, ranking Nos. 18 and 19, respectively, for having laws somewhat similar to Tennessee gun laws.
Virginia was 21st in the rankings with its easy carry permit system. Arkansas, however, placed 33rd because there are many areas in the state that prohibit the carrying of firearms.
Overall, Tennessee gun laws fit in well with the state’s neighbors, according to Guns & Ammo, which notes that more than 40 percent of its residents are gun owners.
This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws before purchasing or traveling with a firearm.
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