Simone Lawson
Yes, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed the constitutional carry bill into law on April 8, 2021, allowing most adults over the age of 21 to carry a handgun without a permit. The law, which took effect on July 1, 2021, was criticized by some gun rights groups for excluding individuals under 21 and those with impaired driving and stalking convictions. It was also opposed by law enforcement groups, who argued that it could lead to increased crime and officer vulnerability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Governor | Bill Lee |
| State | Tennessee |
| Date signed | April 8, 2021 |
| Law effective from | July 1, 2021 |
| Law allows | Anyone over 21 to carry a firearm without a permit |
| Military members over 18 to carry a firearm without a permit | |
| Increases punishment for gun-related crimes | |
| Theft of a firearm will be considered a felony | |
| Mandates six months of jail time for the crime | |
| Does not apply to long guns | |
| Does not change the laws about purchasing a gun | |
| Does not enforce hands-on training classes | |
| Supported by | National Rifle Association |
| Opposed by | State's leading law enforcement groups |
| Gun rights groups |
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What You'll Learn
- Tennessee is now one of 19 states with permitless gun carry laws
- The law applies to people 21 and older, and military members 18 and older
- Theft of a firearm is now a felony and carries a six-month sentence
- The law was criticised by law enforcement groups, who argued it could increase crime
- Gun rights groups also criticised the bill for not going far enough
Tennessee is now one of 19 states with permitless gun carry laws
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has signed a constitutional carry bill into law, making it one of 19 states with permitless gun carry laws. The bill, which was signed on April 8, 2021, allows most adults aged 21 and over to carry a handgun openly or concealed without a permit. The law also applies to military members aged 18 and over.
The new law, which took effect on July 1, 2021, was criticized by some gun rights groups for its limitations, including the exclusion of people with impaired driving and stalking convictions. It was also opposed by the state's leading law enforcement groups, who argued that it could increase crime and officer vulnerability. However, the National Rifle Association (NRA) supported the measure, and Governor Lee thanked the organization for its role in passing the bill.
The constitutional carry bill removes Tennessee's misdemeanor offense for carrying a handgun without a permit and increases the punishments for certain gun crimes. For example, the theft of a firearm is now considered a felony rather than a misdemeanor, with a mandatory six-month jail sentence. The bill also bars felons convicted of possessing a firearm from early release and excludes individuals with recent DUI convictions or those who have been committed to a mental institution.
Governor Lee stated that he signed the bill because it "shouldn’t be hard for law-abiding Tennesseans to exercise their second amendment rights." However, some gun rights activists expressed disappointment that the law does not apply to long guns. The law is expected to cost the state up to $20 million annually, according to the Lee administration.
Tennessee's Constitutional Carry Law: What You Need to Know
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The law applies to people 21 and older, and military members 18 and older
On April 8, 2021, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a bill into law, making it legal for people aged 21 and older to carry handguns openly or concealed without a permit. The law also applies to members of the military aged 18 and above. This law took effect on July 1, 2021, and made Tennessee the 20th state to institute constitutional carry.
The legislation, known as Senate Bill 765, eliminates the requirement for a permit to carry handguns openly or concealed by any unprohibited person, resident or non-resident. However, it is important to note that the law does not apply to long guns, a point of contention among gun rights activists.
The new law in Tennessee joins a growing trend in the United States towards constitutional carry, also known as permitless carry. As of 2025, 29 states have enacted some form of constitutional carry legislation, with South Carolina becoming the most recent addition. These laws generally allow individuals who are 21 and older to carry firearms without a permit, although some states have lower age limits or exceptions for military members aged 18 and above.
While the Tennessee law has been praised by the National Rifle Association, it has also faced criticism from gun rights groups who argue that it does not go far enough. Additionally, the law has been opposed by the state's leading law enforcement groups, who have raised concerns about the potential increase in crime and officer vulnerability.
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Theft of a firearm is now a felony and carries a six-month sentence
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed the state's "constitutional carry" bill into law on April 8, 2021, allowing most adults over the age of 21 to carry a handgun without a permit. The law, which took effect on July 1, 2021, also included a provision that specifically addressed the theft of firearms.
Under the new law, the theft of a firearm is now classified as a felony, a significant upgrade from the previous classification as a misdemeanour. This change in classification brings with it a substantial increase in the potential punishment for those convicted of stealing a firearm. A mandatory six-month sentence is now in place for this offence, which is a notable increase from the previous sentence of just 30 days.
The reclassification of firearm theft as a felony is a direct response to concerns about gun-related crimes and the potential for increased crime rates as a result of the new "constitutional carry" law. By implementing harsher punishments for firearm theft, the state of Tennessee is sending a clear message that it takes gun-related crimes very seriously. This measure is designed to act as a deterrent to potential offenders, as well as providing a stronger framework for prosecuting and punishing those who are convicted of stealing firearms.
The new law also extends beyond the reclassification of firearm theft as a felony. It also includes provisions that bar felons convicted of possessing a firearm from receiving early release. This measure further underscores the state's commitment to addressing gun-related crimes and ensuring that those who illegally possess firearms serve their full sentences.
While the "constitutional carry" law has been praised by some as a victory for Second Amendment rights, it has also faced significant criticism from law enforcement groups and gun rights activists. Some argue that the law could lead to an increase in crime and create a greater vulnerability for officers. Additionally, gun rights activists have expressed disappointment that the law does not apply to long guns, creating a point of contention within the broader debate surrounding gun rights and gun control.
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The law was criticised by law enforcement groups, who argued it could increase crime
On April 8, 2021, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a permitless gun bill into law, allowing most adults over the age of 21 to carry a handgun openly or concealed without a permit. The law, which took effect on July 1, 2021, also applies to members of the military between the ages of 18 and 20. While the National Rifle Association supported the measure, it was opposed by Tennessee's leading law enforcement groups, who argued that it could increase crime and put officers at greater risk.
The criticism from law enforcement reflects a broader debate about the impact of permitless carry laws on crime rates. Some studies suggest that right-to-carry laws can reduce violent crime, while others find that the effects are negligible or even detrimental. The empirical results are sensitive to minor changes in model specifications, and there is a lack of robust evidence when including more recent data with a higher frequency of law changes.
One study by Lott and Mustard (1997) sparked a wave of research into the topic by concluding that shall-issue laws led to significant decreases in violent crime, murder, rape, and assault. However, their "more guns, less crime" conclusion was controversial and prompted further investigations. Subsequent studies have produced mixed findings, with some suggesting an increase in assaults and intimate partner homicides associated with shall-issue laws, while others find no significant impact on overall or firearm-related intimate partner homicides.
While there are conflicting opinions and evidence on the impact of permitless carry laws on crime rates, it is important to note that multiple studies have shown no increase in violent crime due to the growing trend of constitutional carry. For example, law enforcement in West Virginia, a state that adopted constitutional carry in 2016, reported little to no change in policing issues or violent crime rates.
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Gun rights groups also criticised the bill for not going far enough
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a constitutional carry bill into law in April 2021, allowing most adults over the age of 21 to carry a handgun without a permit. The bill was criticised by some gun rights groups for not going far enough.
Gun rights groups, including the National Rifle Association, supported the measure, but other organisations, such as the Firearms Policy Coalition, argued that the bill did not go far enough. They criticised the bill for excluding individuals under 21 and those with impaired driving and stalking convictions. The Firearms Policy Coalition filed a lawsuit against the state of Tennessee shortly after the bill was signed, arguing that 18-20-year-olds should also be allowed to carry handguns under the permitless carry law. The lawsuit stated that "18-to-20-year-olds may be prosecuted for numerous firearms-related offenses and are thereby considered mature enough to be held fully accountable for their criminal actions."
The bill was also criticised for not including long guns, which was a point of contention among gun rights activists. Governor Lee's website proclaimed that he "expanded Tennessean's 2nd Amendment rights with Constitutional Carry," but some gun rights groups, including the Firearms Policy Coalition, argued that the bill was weak and did not go far enough to protect gun owners' rights.
In addition to the criticisms from gun rights groups, the bill was also opposed by law enforcement groups, who argued that it could increase crime and officer vulnerability. The bill removed the requirement for a permit to carry a handgun, but it did not change the laws regarding the purchase of a gun, which still includes a background check when buying from a federally licensed firearm dealer. Individuals who have been convicted of certain crimes or who have specific mental health issues are still prohibited from owning or carrying a firearm under the new law.
While Governor Lee and his supporters touted the bill as a victory for Second Amendment rights, gun rights groups remained critical, arguing that more could have been done to protect and expand gun ownership and carry rights in Tennessee.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Gov. Bill Lee signed the constitutional carry bill into law on April 8, 2021.
The bill allows most adults over the age of 21 to carry a firearm without a permit. It also increases the punishment for gun-related crimes, such as theft of a firearm, which is now considered a felony rather than a misdemeanor.
Individuals must meet the requirements to own a gun and be over the age of 21. People who have been convicted of certain crimes or who have certain mental health issues are prohibited from owning or carrying a gun.
Tennessee became one of 19 states to waive the need for a permit to carry a gun, joining several surrounding states that already had similar laws in place.
The bill has been criticized by some gun rights groups for not going far enough and by law enforcement agencies for potentially increasing crime. However, it was supported by the National Rifle Association and Republican lawmakers in the state.
