If you own a gun in Tennessee, you may have wondered about the rules for keeping it in your car. Whether you keep a handgun with you for personal protection or are heading to the range, you want to make sure you’re not accidentally breaking the law.
Over the years, Tennessee’s firearm laws have changed. So, can you carry a gun in your car without a permit?
Your age, whether you’re legally allowed to possess a firearm, where you’re going, and how you’re carrying or storing the gun all play a role. Here is what you will want to know.
Can You Have a Gun in Your Car Without a Permit?
In most cases, Tennessee law allows a person who is not prohibited under federal or Tennessee law from possessing a firearm and is lawfully in possession of a motor vehicle to carry or possess a firearm, including a loaded firearm, in the vehicle.
Tennessee also allows qualifying individuals to carry handguns openly or concealed without a permit. In these cases, a person must be at least 21 years old. However, certain military members and former military members may qualify at 18.
Of course, there are exceptions and restrictions. The law does not give everyone the right to possess a firearm, and it doesn’t make every location fair game.
Are You Legally Allowed to Have a Gun?
Before worrying about whether your handgun needs to be unloaded or whether it can sit in your glove box, this is an important question: Are you legally allowed to possess the firearm in the first place?
Tennessee and federal law prohibit certain people from possessing firearms. These restrictions can apply to:
- People with certain felony convictions
- Those with qualifying domestic violence convictions
- Individuals with certain protective orders
A permitless-carry law does not erase those restrictions. If you’re legally prohibited from possessing a firearm, putting it in your car doesn’t make possession lawful.
Can You Keep a Gun in Your Glove Box?
For people who legally carry a handgun, the law allows firearms and ammunition to be transported or stored in a motor vehicle in public or private parking areas when the vehicle is legally parked.
If you’re not inside the vehicle, the firearm or ammunition must be kept from observation and secured in an appropriate location. This can include:
- The trunk
- The glove box
- The interior of the vehicle
- In a container securely attached to the vehicle
Remember, keeping a firearm properly secured is more than following the law; it is also a basic safety consideration.
Can You Take Your Gun Anywhere in Tennessee?
No. Being allowed to carry a handgun without a permit does not mean you can walk into any building, business, school, courthouse, or government facility with it.
Tennessee law has restrictions for firearms in certain locations. These additional rules can apply depending on the property and circumstances.
Your handgun might be completely legal in your vehicle but not legal once you walk through a certain building’s doors.
When Should You Talk to a Tennessee Criminal Defense Attorney?
If you’ve been stopped, arrested, or charged because of a firearm found in your vehicle, you want to reach out to an attorney who understands Tennessee firearm and criminal laws.
A lawyer can look at the circumstances instead of trying to squeeze your situation into a general rule.
All those little factors, including the location of the firearm, whether it was loaded, your age, your criminal history, where you were driving, and even who owned the vehicle, can potentially affect the outcome of your case.
Talk to a Tennessee Criminal Defense Attorney
So, can you carry a gun in your car without a permit in Tennessee? For many people, the answer is yes. But permitless carry is not a free pass. You still have to be legally permitted to possess the firearm, follow restrictions on where firearms can be carried, and comply with Tennessee’s rules.
If you’re unsure whether your situation is legal, you will want to reach out to Erik Herbert Law. We can help you understand what the law means for your situation. Reach out today for a consultation.
