Full Notification

Chief Wiser would like to let everybody know that effective July 1, 2021, Tennessee now has a Permit Less Handgun Carry provision that allows any person to carry a handgun openly or concealed, if they meet certain requirements.  Those requirements are: 

• The person must be over 21 years of age or 18 if they are in the military or have been in the military and have been honorably discharged.
• The person must lawfully possess the handgun.
• The person is in a place where they have the legal right to be. 

Even with the new handgun carry provision; there are still limitations on where or when a person is able to carry a handgun.  Some examples of when a person cannot carry a handgun include but are not limited to: 

• Judicial buildings
• Federal buildings
• Private schools where posted
• Public schools or places in use by the school
• Public recreation buildings, civic centers
• When you are under the influence of alcohol
• Any location posted or prohibited by law 

There are also a list of disqualifiers under Federal and State laws that would prohibit a person from possessing a firearm and they are not able to carry a handgun.  Some of those restrictions include but are not limited to: 

• A conviction of a felony including a drug conviction, crime of violence or using a deadly weapon
• A conviction for domestic violence
• Under a court jurisdiction’s to prevent harassing, stalking, or threating an intimate partner
• A fugitive from justice
• Renounced their US Citizenship
• Unlawfully in the United States
• An unlawful user or addicted to any controlled substance
• Has had 2 or more convictions for DUI anywhere in the past 10 years
• Has a conviction for stalking
• Subject to any other state or federal law that prohibits them from possessing a firearm 

Also, with the Permit Less Handgun Carry, a person is still more restricted on the locations of their ability to carry a handgun than with a State of Tennessee issued Concealed Handgun or Enhanced Handgun Permit, such as parks and campgrounds.
 
Additionally, the penalties for the theft of a firearm have been increased.  Now, any theft of a firearm is a Class E Felony and a defendant will have to serve 180 days in confinement upon conviction.  Additionally, the theft of a firearm from a vehicle is an enhancement factor at sentencing.