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Tennessee

At a Glance

Tennessee

Although Tennessee has one of the highest rates of gun deaths in the country, the state has only a few basic laws aimed at reducing gun violence. Indeed, legislators in Tennessee have recently weakened the state’s policies, eliminating the carry permitting requirement, allowing nearly anyone in the state to carry loaded firearms in public, concealed or open, without a background check, permit, or safety training. After the school shooting in Nashville in 2023, lawmakers failed to pass any meaningful gun safety legislation. The Volunteer State does have several of the policies aimed at keeping guns out of the wrong hands—including prohibitions for people convicted of felonies or hate crimes, fugitives from justice, and domestic abusers.

1,404 In an average year, 1,404 people die by guns in Tennessee. More at EveryStat.
#29 in the country for Gun Law Strength. (Same as last year). See why.

The Latest

Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Respond to Reports that Tennessee Department of Homeland Security Investigated 125 School Shooting Threats in Just One Week

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Victories