One of the first questions that people ask when considering getting a concealed handgun carry permit is “where can I carry legally in TN with that permit” and that’s a good question and one that I’m going to answer here in this article.

To answer the question “where can I carry legally in TN” it’s best to first find out where it’s illegal to carry a handgun in TN because once you know where you can’t legally carry a concealed handgun then the answer to the first question “where can you carry” comes into clear focus.

Personally, I think that having such laws only complicate things and confuse law-abiding gun owners.

If you go through the hoops to get a handgun carry permit in TN then you should be allowed to carry a handgun anywhere and everywhere that you go because crime and mass shootings by psychopaths don’t stop because it’s a gun free zone or an area where the state says that you aren’t allowed carry a handgun even with a state-issued handgun carry permit.

But unfortunately, common sense doesn’t always prevail when it comes to those making the rules so we need to be aware of where we can legally carry and where we cannot…

Where is it illegal to carry a handgun in TN

39-17-1306. It is illegal to carry a firearm during judicial proceedings…

No person shall intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carry on or about the person while inside any room in which judicial proceedings are in progress any weapon prohibited by § 39-17-1302(a), for the purpose of going armed; provided, that if the weapon carried is a firearm, the person is in violation of this section regardless of whether the weapon is carried for the purpose of going armed.

39-17-1309 – It is illegal to Carry a firearm on school property…

It is an offense for any person to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, any firearm, not used solely for instructional or school-sanctioned ceremonial purposes, in any public or private school building or bus, on any public or private school campus, grounds, recreation area, athletic field or any other property owned, operated, or while in use by any board of education, school, college or university board of trustees, regents or directors for the administration of any public or private educational institution.

However…

It is not an offense under this subsection for a nonstudent adult to possess a firearm, if the firearm is contained within a private vehicle operated by the adult and is not handled by the adult, or by any other person acting with the expressed or implied consent of the adult, while the vehicle is on school property.

So, in other words, it’s legal to have a gun (handgun or long-gun) in your car on school property (if you’re legally allowed to own that gun) but you’re not allowed to touch it or have it outside your vehicle for any reason when on school grounds.

Carrying in State and local parks is legal unless…

If you have a Handgun Carry Permit, carrying in State and local parks is legal… with an exception…

Someone with a handgun permit may not carry a firearm within the “immediate vicinity” of a school-sponsored park event, though the law does not provide a clear definition of “immediate vicinity” which just complicates things.

Also, keep in mind that…

Businesses or landowners posting “no carry” signs may prohibit gun carry on any portion of their properties.

So, in Tennessee property rights outweigh carry rights and the rights of handgun carry permit holders. However, a property owner can carry open or concealed on their own property.

I’m sorry, but could not find a good clear reference to this law online, however, I know that the above is, in fact, the law in Tennessee. If you know of a good clear reference to this then please add that to the comments below and I will update this article to reflect that.

As a rule, I avoid doing business with any business establishment that doesn’t respect my rights as an American gun owner, law-abiding-citizen and a TN handgun carry permit holder. Why would I want to help support a business establishment that wants to disarm me…

It’s not going to happen even if I have to pay double somewhere else for the same product or service…

It is illegal to carry on federal property…

It’s also illegal to carry or have a firearm on any federal property such as inside a post office or other federal building. However, guns are okay in post office parking lots, federal judge rules…

And according to the National Park Service…

In areas administered by the National Park Service, an individual can possess a firearm if that individual is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the firearm and if the possession of the firearm complies with the laws of the state where the park area is located. 54 U.S.C. 104906.

Is it legal to carry a concealed handgun in Tennessee in your car without a permit?

Yes, it’s legal to carry a concealed (or out in the open) handgun, rifle, and or shotgun in your car if it is lawful for you to own those firearms. In Tennessee, your automobile is treated the same as your home when it comes to the carrying of firearms or other weapons.

And yes, those firearms can be loaded. However, it is illegal to remove those firearms and weapons outside your automobile… unless you have a valid TN handgun carry permit or one issued by a reciprocity state.

In fact, I often carry an AR-15 inside my truck via the use of a LUCID Snap Rack, these are awesome and at less than $11 each, they are hard to beat… click here to check the current price on Amazon.com.

So to answer the question “where is it legal to carry a concealed weapon in TN” the simple answer is everywhere except those areas listed above.

Fun Fact: According to the Crime Prevention Research Center, 9.35 percent of Tennessee’s adult population has a handgun carry permit, the fifth highest in the United States.

None of the material in this article should be interpreted as legal advice.  I am not a lawyer.  Never take any action with legal consequences without first consulting with a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction.  This article should not be relied upon for making legal decisions.  This information is provided for scholarship and general information only.