Very Permissive
Tennessee Gun Laws 2026
Tennessee gun law rating: F (Very Permissive). Ranked #47 out of 50 states for gun law strength. Key policies: permitless carry (Yes), red flag law (No), assault weapons ban (No).
F
Overall Grade
#47
State Rank (strength)
Permitless Carry: Yes
Constitutional Carry
Red Flag: No
ERPO Law
Key Gun Law Provisions
| Provision | Status |
|---|---|
| Permitless (Constitutional) Carry | Yes |
| Red Flag Law (ERPO) | No |
| Assault Weapons Ban | No |
| Universal Background Checks (private sales) | No |
| Waiting Period | None |
| Magazine Capacity Limit | None |
Overview
Tennessee has permitless carry and minimal gun restrictions. The Covenant School shooting (2023, 3 children and 3 adults killed) created unusual pressure for a red flag law, but Republicans passed a weaker "order of protection" law instead.
2026 Political Impact
Three Tennessee Democratic state representatives — the "Tennessee Three" — were expelled from the House for protesting gun violence on the floor after Covenant. Two were reinstated by their cities. The expulsions became a national story.