Is a Delaware Non-Resident Permit Valid in Tennessee?

Why

• Delaware issues no standard carry permit to non-residents; its only non-resident license is a temporary 30-day license, issued in narrow cases.

'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

Crossing into Tennessee swaps the rulebook. Here is what changes for a visiting carrier.

• 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)

Delaware vs Tennessee: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Delaware into Tennessee changes 3 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (21+)); magazine limit (17 rounds → None); out-of-state permits honored (21 states → All states).

Going the other way, a Tennessee non-resident permit in Delaware: recognized — carry with your permit.

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 (not for Tennessee residents) · honored in 33 states
• Ohio non-resident permit (not for Tennessee residents) · honored in 33 states
• Idaho non-resident permit (not for Tennessee residents) · honored in 32 states
• Texas non-resident permit (not for Tennessee residents) · honored in 32 states
• Florida non-resident permit (not for Tennessee residents) · honored in 32 states
• South Carolina non-resident permit (not for Tennessee residents) · honored in 32 states

Driving on from Tennessee

How a Delaware non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Tennessee:

• Alabama — No such permit issued
• 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

Frequently asked questions

Does Tennessee honor a Delaware 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 Delaware?

Recognized — carry with your permit. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Delaware's law, not Tennessee's.

Does Delaware issue non-resident carry permits?

Not a standard one. No standard non-resident license. The Attorney General may issue a temporary 30-day license to a non-resident with a short-term, employment-related need to carry (11 Del. C. 1441(k); maximum 3 such licenses). 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.