Is an Alabama Non-Resident Permit Valid in Tennessee?

Why

• Alabama does not issue carry permits to non-residents (alea: alabama issues concealed carry permits only to alabama residents, via the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence).

'A facially valid handgun permit, firearms permit, weapons permit or license issued by another state shall be valid in this state according to its terms' — handguns only; the permit must be in the holder's possession at all times while carrying; new Tennessee residents must obtain a TN permit within six months.

Carry rules in Tennessee

Your Alabama habits may not match Tennessee's law. Check these three areas before you carry there.

• No proactive duty. A permit holder carrying where only the permit allows it must have the permit in immediate possession and display it on demand of a law enforcement officer (TCA 39-17-1351(n)(1) and 39-17-1366(e) as amended by Public Chapter 108, 2021).
• Tennessee sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Tennessee allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Permit holders and permitless-qualified carriers under TCA 39-17-1307(g) may transport and store firearms in their motor vehicle in any public or private parking area, kept from ordinary observation (locked in trunk/glove box/interior when unattended) (TCA 39-17-1313).

Off-limits places in Tennessee

Tennessee bans carry in 3 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• School buildings, buses, campuses and school activities (TCA 39-17-1309)
• Certain public parks, playgrounds and civic centers (TCA 39-17-1311)

See all 3 places you can't carry in Tennessee →

Alabama vs Tennessee: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Alabama into Tennessee changes one rule: permitless carry (Yes (19+) → Yes (21+)).

Going the other way, a Tennessee non-resident permit in Alabama: recognized — and permitless carry applies.

Permits that do work in Tennessee

These non-resident permits are honored in Tennessee, ranked by how many states honor each one. They are issued to people who live outside the issuing state, subject to its eligibility rules.

• North Dakota non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Ohio non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Idaho non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Texas non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Florida non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• South Carolina non-resident permit · honored in 32 states

Driving on from Tennessee

How an Alabama non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Tennessee:

• Arkansas — No such permit issued
• Georgia — No such permit issued
• Kentucky — No such permit issued
• Mississippi — No such permit issued
• Missouri — No such permit issued
• North Carolina — No such permit issued
• Virginia — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Tennessee honor an Alabama resident permit?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because Tennessee treats the two permit types differently.

Can a Tennessee non-resident permit holder carry in Alabama?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Alabama's law, not Tennessee's.

Does Alabama issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Alabama issues carry permits to residents only (aLEA: Alabama issues concealed carry permits only to Alabama residents, via the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.