Is a North Carolina Resident Permit Valid in Tennessee?

Why

• Tennessee recognizes valid carry permits from every US state.
• 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

Tennessee's rules control while you're there. These are the ones travelers trip over most.

• 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 →

North Carolina vs Tennessee: what changes at the state line

Crossing from North Carolina into Tennessee changes 2 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (21+)); duty to inform police (Yes → No).

Going the other way, a Tennessee resident permit in North Carolina: recognized — carry with your permit.

Driving on from Tennessee

How a North Carolina resident permit fares in the states bordering Tennessee:

• Alabama — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Arkansas — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Georgia — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Kentucky — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Mississippi — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Missouri — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Virginia — Recognized — carry with your permit

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Tennessee honor a North Carolina non-resident permit?

North Carolina does not issue non-resident carry permits (applicant must have been a North Carolina resident for at least 30 days immediately preceding the application (G.S. 14-415.12(a)); no non-resident permits), so the question does not arise.

Can a Tennessee resident permit holder carry in North Carolina?

Recognized — carry with your permit. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on North Carolina'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.