Knoxville cannot enact local firearm ordinances — Tennessee Code Section 39-17-1314 preempts the entire field of firearm transfer, ownership, possession, transportation, and ammunition regulation. Statewide rules apply uniformly inside Knoxville.
Tenn. Code Sec. 39-17-1314 states that no city, county, or urban-county government may occupy any part of the field of firearm or ammunition regulation. Knoxville is therefore preempted from adopting its own gun rules. The city retains narrow authority to restrict firearm carry on its own buildings and grounds under Sec. 39-17-1359 (with mandatory signage), to apply generally applicable land-use and business rules to firearm dealers, and to govern conduct of its own employees on duty. Statewide, Tennessee became a permitless (constitutional) carry state in 2021 (SB 0765/HB 0786) for adults 21+ and expanded eligibility to 18+ in 2024 — these adults may carry openly or concealed without a permit if not otherwise prohibited.
Any Knoxville ordinance conflicting with Sec. 39-17-1314 is void. Individuals adversely affected may seek declaratory and injunctive relief and reasonable attorney fees.
See how Knoxville's local firearms preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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