Non-Resident permit · IN → TN
Is a Indiana Non-Resident Permit Valid in Tennessee?
Yes, twice over. Tennessee honors your Indiana non-resident permit, and it also allows permitless carry for adults 21+, so eligible adults can carry there even without one. A caution before you travel: Tennessee's official guidance leaves part of this unstated. Call or check Tennessee's State Police or Attorney General page to confirm your exact case.
Why
- Tennessee recognizes valid carry permits from every US state.
- Whether Indiana issues non-resident permits could not be verified from official sources.
- Tennessee allows permitless carry for eligible adults 21+, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.
'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.
The permit (Indiana)
- Permit
- Indiana License to Carry a Handgun (LTCH)
- Issued by
- Indiana State Police
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
- Issued to non-residents?
- Not verified
The destination (Tennessee)
- Recognition policy
- Honors permits from all states
- Permitless carry
- Yes (21+)
- Duty to inform
- No (present permit on demand)
- Magazine limit
- No state limit
Carry rules in Tennessee
Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter Tennessee, these rules replace the ones you know from Indiana.
- 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
- School buildings, buses, campuses and school activities (TCA 39-17-1309)
- Certain public parks, playgrounds and civic centers (TCA 39-17-1311)
- Any carry while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances (TCA 39-17-1321)
Frequently asked questions
- Is a Indiana non-resident permit valid in Tennessee?
- Yes, twice over. Tennessee honors your Indiana non-resident permit, and it also allows permitless carry for adults 21+, so eligible adults can carry there even without one. A caution before you travel: Tennessee's official guidance leaves part of this unstated. Call or check Tennessee's State Police or Attorney General page to confirm your exact case.
- Do I have to tell police in Tennessee that I am carrying?
- 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).
- Does Tennessee limit magazine capacity?
- Tennessee sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- Can I carry in Tennessee without any permit?
- Tennessee allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- Where does Tennessee publish its official reciprocity list?
- Tennessee publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.
Official sources
- TN Dept. of Safety & Homeland Security — Reciprocity — accessed 2026-08-08
- TN Dept. of Safety & Homeland Security — Handgun Permit FAQ — accessed 2026-08-08
- TN Dept. of Safety & Homeland Security — Handgun Related Laws — accessed 2026-08-08
- TN Public Chapter 108 (2021) — permitless carry, vehicle carry, display-on-demand — accessed 2026-08-08
- TN Public Chapter 356 (2025) — permit age lowered to 18 — accessed 2026-08-08
- IN.gov FAQ - Does Indiana honor handgun licenses from other states? (IC 35-47-2-21(b)) — accessed 2026-08-08
- IN.gov FAQ - Places where carry is illegal even with a valid license — accessed 2026-08-08
- IN.gov FAQ - Handgun carry at Indiana State Parks — accessed 2026-08-08
- IN.gov FAQ - How do I apply for a handgun license? (ISP issues; online portal) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Georgia General Assembly policy brief (supporting: lists Indiana among the 25 permitless-carry states as of 2022) — accessed 2026-08-08