Despite significant pushback from Memphis law enforcement and other agencies across Tennessee, permitless carry, or Constitutional carry, was signed into state law Thursday. This means if you have no existing convictions that would bar you from owning a gun, and you are 21 or older, you will be able to carry a firearm openly or concealed — no training or permit required.
Gov. Bill Lee signed the bill into law Thursday and thanked Tennessee lawmakers and the National Rifle Association for helping him get the task done. Eighteen other states, including Mississippi and Arizona, have enacted permitless carry.
The law goes into effect on July 1. It does not apply to long guns. In addition to removing misdemeanor charges once associated with carrying a gun without a permit, the new law also introduces harsher sentencing measures for some gun crimes.