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HB 814

Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, authorizes a county legislative body to elect not to permit persons within the county to lawfully carry a handgun without a handgun carry permit by passage of a resolution; requires a county that has passed such a resolution to provide notice to persons present within the county by posting notice of the resolution in conspicuous public locations throughout the county. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Larry Miller

Allows Tennessee counties to individually require handgun carry permits, overriding state permitless carry law with posted notice requirements.

Assigned to s/c Civil Justice Subcommittee
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Bill Summary · HB 814

Legislative bill overview

HB 814 would allow Tennessee county governments to opt out of the state's permitless carry law by passing a resolution, effectively requiring handgun permits in those counties. Counties electing this option would be required to post conspicuous notices throughout their jurisdiction informing residents of the permit requirement.

Why is this important

Tennessee enacted constitutional carry (permitless handgun carry) statewide in 2021. This bill would create a patchwork of gun regulations across the state, allowing individual counties to impose permitting requirements that contradict state law. This directly challenges the uniformity of gun rights across Tennessee and could create significant practical and legal complications for residents and gun owners traveling between counties.

Potential points of contention

  • State preemption conflict: Tennessee law historically preempts local gun regulations; this bill appears to violate that principle by allowing counties to override state permitless carry law
  • Constitutional concerns: The proposal may face legal challenges under the Tennessee Constitution's gun rights protections and recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings on gun regulations
  • Administrative burden: Gun owners would need to understand varying permit requirements across different counties, potentially creating compliance confusion and enforcement inconsistencies
  • Political ideological divide: This reflects ongoing tension between urban/suburban counties (more restrictive) and rural counties (more permissive) on Second Amendment interpretation

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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