Citation(s) from the GunPolicy.org literature library
Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. 2024 ‘Location Restrictions in Tennessee.’ Guns in Public. San Francisco, CA: Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. 24 December
Relevant contents
Other Location Restrictions in Tennessee
Tennessee generally prohibits the possession of a firearm within the confines of an establishment open to the public where liquor, wine, beer or other alcoholic beverages are served for on-premises consumption while the possessor is consuming any such alcoholic beverages. Handgun carry permit holders violating this provision will have their permits suspended for three years.
Tennessee prohibits any person from intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carrying a firearm on or about the person while inside any room in which judicial proceedings are in progress.
In addition, Tennessee generally prohibits any person from possessing a firearm in, on, or while traversing any refuge, public hunting area or wildlife management area frequented or inhabited by big game, except during specified or lawful open hunting seasons in these areas. Handgun carry permit holders are generally exempt from this possession restriction, regardless of whether such area is frequented or inhabited by big game.
Any municipality or county may, at its option, prohibit handgun possession by handgun carry permittees while within or on a public park, natural area, historic park, nature trail, campground, forest, greenway, waterway or other similar public place that is owned or operated by a county or municipality.
An individual, corporation, business entity or local, state or federal government entity is authorized to prohibit the possession of firearms by any person attending a meeting conducted by, or on property owned, operated, or managed by or under the control of such individual, corporation, business entity or government entity. Handgun carry permit holders are subject to this prohibition. Notice of such prohibition shall be posted in prominent areas of the building, premises or property and shall contain either the international circle and slash symbolizing the prohibition of the item within the circle, or language substantially similar to the following:
AS AUTHORIZED BY T.C.A. § 39-17-1359, POSSESSION OF A WEAPON ON POSTED PROPERTY OR IN A POSTED BUILDING IS PROHIBITED AND IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
In 2011, Tennessee passed a law stating that the decision not to post property in this manner, thereby allowing persons with handgun permits to carry a handgun on the property, does not constitute an occupational safety and health hazard within the jurisdiction of the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Tennessee generally prohibits the possession or carrying, openly or concealed and with the intent to go armed, any of a specified list of prohibited weapons (not including most handguns and long guns) in or on the grounds of any public park, playground, civic center or other building facility, area or property owned, used or operated by any municipal, county or state government for recreational purposes.
Tennessee has no statutes prohibiting firearms in the following places:
- Hospitals;
- Places of worship;
- Sports arenas;
- Gambling facilities; or
- Polling places.
State administrative regulations may govern the possession of firearms in these or other locations…
[Editor's note: The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence regularly updates its webpages with new data as US gun regulation evolves state by state. For the most up-to-date information on US gun laws, please refer to the Giffords URL below]