Is a Kentucky Resident Permit Valid in Tennessee?

Why

• Tennessee recognizes valid carry permits from every US state.
• Kentucky's under-21 provisional license is valid only in Kentucky.
• 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.

Carry rules in Tennessee

Recognition is only half the question. Once you're inside Tennessee, its carry rules apply to you exactly as they do to locals.

• 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)

Kentucky vs Tennessee: what changes at the state line

The core carry rules we track are the same in Kentucky and Tennessee. Off-limits places still differ, so check the list above.

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

Driving on from Tennessee

How a Kentucky resident permit fares in the states bordering Tennessee:

• Alabama — Recognized — not the under-21 provisional license; permitless carry applies
• Arkansas — Recognized — not the under-21 provisional license; permitless carry applies
• Georgia — Recognized — not the under-21 provisional license; permitless carry applies
• Mississippi — Recognized — not the under-21 provisional license; permitless carry applies
• Missouri — Recognized — not the under-21 provisional license; permitless carry applies
• North Carolina — Recognized — not the under-21 provisional license
• Virginia — Recognized — not the under-21 provisional license

Frequently asked questions

Does Tennessee honor a Kentucky non-resident permit?

Kentucky does not issue non-resident carry permits (Kentucky residents (or US citizens / lawfully admitted persons on active military duty assigned to a Kentucky posting) only - KSP CCDW qualifications), so the question does not arise.

Can a Tennessee resident permit holder carry in Kentucky?

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

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.