About Us Justice Process Victim/Witness Services Expungement Media/Public Information Contact Permit-less Carry Firearms & Handguns The following is informational only. It is intended to provide a helpful starting place to examine the law for specific questions. It is not providing legal advice. The criminal code should be consulted in its entirety and the exact statute(s) should be examined for questions regarding specific facts or factual scenarios. WHAT DOES THE NEW “PERMIT-LESS CARRY” LAW DO? The new law changes several different criminal statutes. It creates some new crimes and increases the punishments for certain crimes. In regards to carrying handguns, the new law removes the requirement of obtaining a carry permit before lawfully carrying a handgun in public. The new law allows anyone over the age of 21 to carry a handgun, openly or concealed, as long as the person is not otherwise prohibited from having a firearm and is in a place that does not prohibit firearms. WHAT THE NEW “PERMIT-LESS CARRY” LAW DOES NOT DO: The new law does not change the law about using firearms. It does not change the persons who are prohibited from carrying a firearm. It does not change the places where firearms are prohibited. The new law does not eliminate the two types of carry permits. WHERE ARE FIREARMS PROHIBITED IN TENNESSEE? Judicial Buildings (39-17-1306) Federal Buildings (18 U.S.C. § 930) Public Schools, School Buses (39-17-1309) Property owned, operated or while in use by a school (39-17-1309, -1311) Private Schools where posted (39-17-1309) Public Recreational Buildings, Civic Centers (39-17-1311) Any premises with a posted sign: “No Firearms Allowed” All Other Government Buildings if Posted “No Firearms Allowed” + Security Measures (39-17-1339) U.S. National Parks and Federal Conservation Areas Airports and airplanes (www.TSA.gov) State, County or Municipal Parks — unless the person has a permit and not in use by a school for an athletic event or school activity on an athletic field (39-17-1311) Campgrounds unless it is a non-federal campground and the person has a permit (39-17-1311) Greenways, Nature Trails unless the person has a permit (39-17-1311) In a public business where alcohol is served/sold and you are drinking any amount of alcohol (39-17-1321) WHO IS PROHIBITED FROM CARRYING A FIREARM IN TENNESSEE? Anyone who intends to use the firearm to commit a crime (39-17-1307) Anyone under the influence of alcohol/drugs (39-17-1321) Anyone consuming alcohol where authorized to serve (39-17-1321) Anyone convicted of any felony (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) Anyone convicted of domestic violence (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) Anyone convicted of Stalking (39-17-1307) Anyone convicted of DUI (one time in the last 5 years or twice in the last 10 years) (39-17-1307) Has been adjudicated as a mental defective, judicially committed to or hospitalized in a mental institution pursuant to title 33, or had a court appoint a conservator for the person by reason of a mental defect (39-17-1307) Anyone who is a fugitive from justice (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) Anyone who is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) Anyone adjudicated as a mental defective or who has been committed to a mental institution (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) Any alien who is illegally or unlawfully in the United States or who has been admitted to the U.S. under a nonimmigrant visa. (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) Anyone dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) Anyone who, having been a citizen of the U.S. has renounced his citizenship (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) Anyone who is subject to a court order that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child or placing the intimate partner in fear of injury and the order prohibits the use, attempted use, threatened use of physical force against the intimate partner or child (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) In attendance at a hunter's safety course or a firearms safety course; Engaging in practice in the use of a firearm or target shooting at an established range authorized by the governing body of the jurisdiction in which such range is located or any other area where the discharge of a firearm is not prohibited; Engaging in an organized competition involving the use of a firearm, or participating in or practicing for a performance by an organized group which is exempt from federal income taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3)), as amended, and which uses firearms as part of the performance; Hunting or trapping pursuant to a valid license issued to the juvenile pursuant to title 70; Accompanied by the juvenile's parent or guardian and is being instructed by the adult or guardian in the use of the handgun possessed by the juvenile; On real property which is under the control of an adult and has the permission of that adult and the juvenile's parent or legal guardian to possess a handgun; Traveling to or from any of the above activities with an unloaded gun. WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF CARRY PERMITS IN TENNESSEE? Enhanced Permit (39-17-1351) Concealed Carry Permit (39-17-1366) CAN YOU LEAVE A FIREARM IN YOUR CAR IN TENNESSEE? Anyone should thoughtfully consider whether it is worth the risk of someone stealing the gun to use for violent crimes before leaving it in a car. You can lawfully leave a gun in the car only if each of the following are met: You are not a prohibited person Your car is not in a place where federal law prohibits leaving a firearm in a car You have permission to park your car where it is parked, and The firearm is not in plain view and is locked in the trunk, glove box or in a container that is securely attached to the car (39-17-1313) Here are some helpful links regarding firearms and safety: Inventory Memphis Police Department Gun Safety PSA Child Safety Shelby County Sheriff’s Office – Public Information Leaflet and Gun-Safety Video Get the latest updates from the Shelby County District Attorney Shelby County District Attorney 201 Poplar Avenue, 11th Floor Memphis, TN 38103 Phone: 901-222-1300 Email: info@scdag.com Website Design by CPMG