STATE
TENNESSEE GUN LAWS
Tennessee’s gun laws are weak and its gun death rate is high. State legislators have an obligation to enact the laws proven to save lives from gun violence.
Scorecard Grade
In spite of its lack of many basic gun safety laws, Tennessee does prohibit most people subject to domestic violence convictions or court orders from possessing firearms. In 2024, Tennessee had the ninth highest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 1,511 people die from gun violence in the state. That means someone dies from gun violence every six hours. Fifty-four percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 43% are gun homicides. In Tennessee, the rate of gun deaths increased by 24% from 2015 to 2024, compared to a 15% increase nationwide.
EXPLORE TENNESSEE’S GUN LAWS
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
What Tennessee Does Well
- Certain domestic violence gun laws
- Certain open carry regulations
- Disarming procedures
What Tennessee Is Missing
- Universal background checks
- Gun owner licensing
- Assault weapon restrictions
- Large capacity magazine ban
- Waiting periods
- Strong concealed carry law
- Community violence intervention funding
- Lost & stolen firearm reporting
SPOTLIGHT
GUN VIOLENCE STATISTICS
Explore facts, figures, and original analysis compiled by our experts. To end our gun violence crisis, we need to better understand where, how, and why violence occurs.
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JOIN THE FIGHT
Nearly 47,000 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every year. In communities, courts, and ballot boxes nationwide, GIFFORDS fights to save lives from gun violence. Will you join us?