Metro Nashville-Davidson County 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 Nashville.
Tenn. Code Sec. 39-17-1314 states that 'no city, county, or urban-county government shall occupy any part of the field of regulation of the transfer, ownership, possession or transportation of firearms, ammunition or components of firearms or combinations thereof.' Metro Nashville-Davidson County (an urban-county consolidated government) is therefore preempted from adopting its own gun rules. Tennessee also reserves to the State Attorney General the authority to sue firearms manufacturers and dealers — local governments cannot pursue such litigation. Nashville retains a very narrow set of remaining powers, primarily limited to regulating firearm carry on local-government-owned property under Sec. 39-17-1359 (with mandatory posting requirements) and applying generally applicable land-use and business rules. Statewide, Tennessee became a permitless (constitutional) carry state in 2021 (SB 0765/HB 0786) for handguns, and the General Assembly expanded eligibility further in 2024 — adults 18+ who are not otherwise prohibited may now carry a handgun openly or concealed without a permit.
Any Metro Nashville ordinance conflicting with Sec. 39-17-1314 is void. The statute authorizes individuals adversely affected by a violating ordinance to seek declaratory and injunctive relief and reasonable attorney fees.
See how Nashville's local firearms preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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