Handgun Carry Permit Related Laws
Recently, the Tennessee General Assembly passed several laws pertaining to where valid handgun carry permit holders are allowed to carry their firearms. The recent changes in law allow valid handgun carry permit holders to take their firearm into RESTAURANTS and PARKS, provided no other prohibition exists. Please note not every restaurant and park has chosen to allow handguns, even if you posses a valid handgun carry permit.
Individual RESTAURANTS may choose to prohibit firearms in their establishment. Restaurants opting to prohibit firearms will notify customers by posting a sign.
Local governments also may elect to prohibit handguns in local PARKS, and have until September 1, 2009, to decide if they will allow handguns in parks. Please contact your local government offices for more information.
Also, if you plan to visit a federal park, please contact the park ranger to confirm whether you are allowed to carry a hand gun. http://www.doi.gov/news/09_News_Releases/052209c.html
For more information, please review the handgun carry permit related laws below.
Handgun Carry Permit T.C.A. Codes * |
T.C.A. Number | Code Subject |
39-17-1302 | Prohibited weapons |
39-17-1306 | Carrying weapons during judicial proceedings |
39-17-1307 | Unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon |
39-17-1309 | Carrying weapons on school property |
39-17-1311 | Carrying weapons on public parks, playgrounds, civic centers, and other recreational building and grounds |
39-17-1315 | (b) (1): Written directive and permit to carry handguns |
39-17-1320 | Providing handguns to juveniles |
39-17-1321 | Possession of a handgun while under the influence |
39-17-1322 | Defenses |
39-17-1351 - 1358 | Handgun Carry Permits
Note: Since the link references several T.C.A. Numbers, an index page containing the links 1351 - 1358 will appear when selected. |
39-17-1359 | Prohibitions at certain meetings |
39-17-1360 | Rules and regulations |
Title 62 Chapter 35 | Private protective services |
Title 70 Chapter 4 | Miscellaneous regulations |
70-4-103 | Fox hunting - Training of hunting dogs - Penalty |
70-4-112 | Hunting and chasing coons regulated - Training season - Violations, penalties |
70-4-117 | Possession of weapons in areas inhabited by big game - Penalty |
* Some T.C.A. Codes were amended during the 2009 session by the following Public Chapters which may be accessed through the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Web site at http://tnsos.org/acts/PublicActs.106th.php?showall:
Public Chapter 101 – Handgun Information Privacy - This act prohibits the Department of Safety or any department-approved handgun safety course employee from requiring applicant for handgun carry permit to furnish any identifying information concerning any handgun the applicant owns or possesses.
Effective Date: April 27, 2009
Public Chapter 339 – Handguns in Restaurants – This act authorizes any individual with a handgun carry permit to carry a firearm into a restaurant that serves alcoholic beverages as long as such individual is not consuming alcoholic beverages. However, a restaurant may choose to post a sign prohibiting firearms.
Effective Date: July 14, 2009
Public Chapter 428 – Handguns in Parks – This act permits a resident who has a valid handgun carry permit to possess a handgun while within the boundaries of any park and other similar public places owned and operated by the state, county, or city, excluding certain natural areas, historic parks, nature trails, wildlife management areas. Local governments may elect by a majority resolution of the local legislative body to prohibit gun carry permit holders from possessing handguns in local parks.
Effective Date: Permitting municipalities and counties to enact prohibition ordinances – June 12, 2009
Effective Date: Carrying guns in federal and state parks – June 12, 2009
Effective Date: Carrying guns in municipal or county parks unless prohibited – September 1, 2009
On July 24, 2009, the Attorney General issued Opinion No. 09-129 which, pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1309, prohibits handgun carry permit holders from possessing firearms in public parks during times when the athletic fields or other recreational facilities are actually being used by schools.
Public Chapter 431 – Loaded Rifles and Shotguns in Vehicles – This act allows a person with a handgun carry permit to possess a loaded rifle or loaded shotgun in a privately owned vehicle. The act provides that the weapon cannot have ammunition in the chamber except in the case that an individual permit holder feels physically threatened.
Effective Date: June 12, 2009
Public Chapter 455 – Orders of Protections – This act requires a person against whom an order of protection has been issued to dispose of any firearms within 48 hours through any lawful means. It clarifies that the person may resume possession of firearms once the order of protection is lifted.
Effective Date: July 1, 2009
Public Chapter 606 – Guns in Refuges/Wildlife Areas – This act allows a person with a valid handgun carry permit to possess a firearm in a refuge, public hunting area, wildlife management area, or on national forest land.
Effective Date: July 9, 2009