Brief Overview Of Tennessee State Laws Concerning Air Guns
Tennessee currently has no state laws regarding airguns other than prohibitive sale to minors. Tennessee prohibits any minor under the age of 18 from purchasing air guns.
How old do you need to be to purchase a BB gun, airgun, air rifle or pellet gun in Tennessee?
In Tennessee you must be 18 Years Old to purchase a BB gun, airgun, air rifle or pellet gun.
Tennessee Air Gun Hunting Regulations
Tennessee allows air gun hunting for certain species. These species include:
• Small Game
Air Gun Laws In Local Local Jurisdictions
In addition to state laws, local jurisdictions may also have their own laws regulating air guns. Below are the laws for local jurisdictions in the state of Tennessee.
BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE – AIR GUN LAWS AND REGULATIONS
No local Air-gun ordinances listed.
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – AIR GUN LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Chapter 50 OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS – Bristol, Tennessee – Code of Ordinances
Sec. 50-21. – Firearms, air rifles, BB guns, etc.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to discharge a firearm within the city.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge within the city any air gun, air pistol, air rifle, BB gun, or slingshot capable of discharging a metal bullet or pellet, whether propelled by spring, compressed air, expanding gas, explosive, or other force-producing means or method.
(c) Provided, however, the foregoing shall not prohibit the discharge of a firearm in supervised events and activities, such as “turkey shoots,” firearms safety instruction, exhibitions, target practice, and similar events or activities which have been approved in advance by the chief of police. As a prerequisite to the granting of such approval, the city may require the execution of a release or hold harmless agreement and proof of adequate liability insurance.
(d) The provisions of subsection (c) above shall expire at midnight on December 31, 1999, and thereafter shall be of no further force and effect.
(Code 1980, § 10-248; Ord. No. 93-10, § II, 5-4-93; Ord. No. 03-11, § I, 9-2-03)
CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE – AIR GUN LAWS AND REGULATIONS
No local Air-gun ordinances listed.
FARRAGUT, TENNESSEE – AIR GUN LAWS AND REGULATIONS
No local Air-gun ordinances listed.
FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE – AIR GUN LAWS AND REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 6. FIREARMS, WEAPONS AND MISSILES Franklin, Tennessee Code of Ordinances
Sec. 11-601. Air rifles, etc.
It shall be unlawful for any person in the city to discharge any air gun, air pistol, air rifle, “BB” gun, or sling shot capable of discharging a metal bullet or pellet, whether propelled by spring, compressed air, expanding gas, explosive, or other force-producing means or method.
(1976 Code, § 10-213)
GALLATIN, TENNESSEE – AIR GUN LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Chapter 12 MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES Gallatin, Tennessee Code of Ordinances
Sec. 12-12. Air rifles, etc.
It shall be unlawful for any person in the city to discharge any air gun, air pistol, air rifle, BB gun, or slingshot capable of discharging a metal bullet or pellet, whether propelled by spring, compressed air, expanding gas, explosive, or other force-producing means or method.
(Code 1979, § 10-213)
GERMANTOWN, TENNESSEE – AIR GUN LAWS AND REGULATIONS
ARTICLE V. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE – Germantown, Tennessee – Code of Ordinances
Sec. 12-93. – Discharge of firearms prohibited; exception.
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any air gun, air pistol, air rifle or BB gun, or any pistol, rifle or firearms capable of discharging a metal or synthetic bullet or pellet, whether propelled by spring, compressed air or gases, explosive or other force-producing means, except in self-defense; while in the lawful performance of duty as an officer of the law; or within a legally established range or shooting gallery.
(Code 1986, § 15-74; )
KINGSPORT, TENNESSEE – AIR GUN LAWS AND REGULATIONS
No local Air-gun ordinances listed.
County of KNOX, TENNESSEE – AIR GUN LAWS AND REGULATIONS
No local Air-gun ordinances listed.
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – AIR GUN LAWS AND REGULATIONS
ARTICLE IV. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC SAFETY Knoxville, Tennessee Code of Ordinances
Sec. 19-109. Discharge of firearms, air guns, etc.
(a) Discharge of firearms. It shall be unlawful for any person, except such as may be authorized by law, to discharge or fire any firearms within the city.
(b) Discharge of air guns, spring guns, etc. It shall further be unlawful for any person to fire or discharge any air gun or air pistol, spring gun or spring pistol, or other device or firearm which is calculated or intended to propel or project a bullet, pellet, air or similar projectile, within the city.
(c) Commercial indoor shooting ranges. Because of the ultra-hazardous nature of the operation of a commercial indoor shooting range, and because of the potential threat to the safety of the citizens of the city from the operation of such activity, it is hereby declared to be an unlawful purpose to operate an indoor commercial shooting range within the city limits.
(d) Confiscation. If any person is arrested for violating the provisions of this section, the police are hereby empowered, authorized and directed to confiscate any such air gun or pistol, spring gun or spring pistol or other device or weapon, and it shall be the duty of the police to turn the device or weapon over to the municipal court for disposition of the device or weapon by the court.
(e) Exception. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section or any other provisions of this Code, nothing in this section is intended to prohibit the discharge or firing of any firearms by anyone lawfully engaged in hunting upon any property owned by the state and managed by the state wildlife resources agency which may be located within the municipal limits of the city.
(Code 1962, § 28-418; Ord. No. O-258-90, § 1, 8-21-90)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – AIR GUN LAWS AND REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 10-32. WEAPONS Memphis, Tennessee Code of Ordinances
Sec. 10-32-1. Air guns—Discharge prohibited—Exception.
It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to discharge within the limits of the city any air gun, air pistol, air rifle or BB gun, capable of discharging a metal bullet or pellet, whether propelled by spring, compressed air, expanding gas (CO2), explosive, or other force-producing means or method, except within a legally established target range or shooting gallery.
(Code 1967, § 22-3; Code 1985, § 20-3)
METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE – AIR GUN LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Chapter 11.12 OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE – Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee – Code of Ordinances
11.12.080 – Discharging weapons
B. It shall further be unlawful for any person to fire or discharge any air gun or air pistol, spring gun or spring pistol, or other device or firearm which is calculated or intended to propel or project a bullet, pellet, air or similar projectile, whether propelled by spring, compressed air or gases, explosive or other force-producing means, within the urban services district of the metropolitan government.
Article V. Unlawful Activities – Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee – Code of Ordinances
13.24.470 – Hunting and trapping wildlife—Carrying firearms.
A. It is unlawful for any person to hunt or trap any of the game or fowl within any parks located within the area of the metropolitan government, which are under the jurisdiction and control of the board of park commissioners.
B. It is unlawful for any person, other than an official park policeman on duty or other law enforcing officer, to carry or discharge a firearm of any description or any BB gun or air rifle within any of the parks of the metropolitan park system, which are under the jurisdiction of the board of park commissioners.
(Prior code § 29-1-46)
MILLERSVILLE, TENNESSEE – AIR GUN LAWS AND REGULATIONS
No local Air-gun ordinances listed.
MT. JULIET, TENNESSEE – AIR GUN LAWS AND REGULATIONS
ARTICLE II. OFFENSES ENUMERATED Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Code of Ordinances
Sec. 16-33. Guns, air rifles and projectiles.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person in the city to discharge any firearm, air gun, air pistol, air rifle, BB gun, bow and arrow, or sling shot capable of discharging a projectile, bullet or pellet, whether propelled by spring, compressed air, expanding gas, explosive, or other force-producing means or method. It shall also be unlawful to point such devices at people or to threaten to use such devices against people.
(b) This section shall not prohibit the owner of land zoned agricultural and his invitees from firing shotguns with shot no larger (smaller shot number) than No. 4 shot so long as the gun does not send shot outside the property line.
(c) This section shall not prohibit supervised firearms training using certified instructors with the approval of the chief of police. This section shall not prohibit discharging weapons in indoor firing ranges or at ranges approved, for safety, by the chief of police.
(Code 1997, § 10-2-113; Ord. No. 74-8, § 1(13), 5-16-1974)
DIVISION 4. PARKS RULES AND REGULATIONS Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Code of Ordinances
Sec. 24-172. Prohibited uses.
(f) No person shall bring alcoholic beverages, drugs, firearms, fireworks, BB guns, air rifles, bows or arrows into a park, except as provided herein. This provision shall not apply to law enforcement officers. Persons may bring legally licensed handguns into the parks.
SHELBY COUNTY, TENNESSEE – AIR GUN LAWS AND REGULATIONS
ARTICLE II. AIR RIFLES Shelby County, Tennessee Code of Ordinances
ARTICLE II. AIR RIFLES.
Air rifle means any air gun, air pistol, spring gun, spring pistol, BB gun, or any implement that is not a firearm which impels a pellet of any kind with a force that can reasonably be expected to cause bodily harm.
Dealer means any person engaged in the business of selling at retail or renting any of the articles included in the definition of the term “air rifle.”
(Code 1992, § 26-21; Priv. Acts 1961, ch. 372, § 1)
Sec. 8-20. Unlawful transfers.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any dealer in the county to sell, lend, rent, give, or otherwise transfer an air rifle to any person under the age of 18 years, or where such dealer has failed to make reasonable inquiry relative to the age of such person, and such person is under 18 years of age.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person in the county to sell, give, lend, or otherwise transfer any air rifle to any person under 18 years of age, except where the relationship of parent and child, guardian and ward, or adult instructor and pupil exists between such person and the person under 18 years of age.
(Code 1992, § 26-22; Priv. Acts 1961, ch. 372, § 2)
Sec. 8-21. Possession by minor, discharging on public property prohibited.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person in the county under 18 years of age to carry any air rifle on the public streets, roads, highways or public lands within the county unless accompanied by an adult; provided, however, that a person under 18 years of age may carry such rifle unloaded in a suitable case, or securely wrapped.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person in the county to discharge any air rifle from or across any street, sidewalk, road, highway or public land of the county or any public place in the county, except on a properly constructed target range.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any air rifle within any residential zoned area of the county.
(Code 1992, § 26-23; Priv. Acts 1961, ch. 372, § 3; Ord. No. 137, 2-28-1994)
Sec. 8-22. When possession by minor permitted.
Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of this article, it shall be lawful for any person in the county under 18 years of age to have in his possession any air rifle if it is:
(1) Kept within his domicile.
(2) Used by the person under 18 years of age and he is a duly enrolled member of any club, team or society organized for educational purposes and maintaining as part of its facilities or having written permission to use an indoor or outdoor rifle range under the supervision, guidance and instruction of a responsible adult, and then only if the air rifle is actually being used in connection with the activities of such club, team or society under the supervision of a responsible adult.
(3) Used in or on any private grounds or residence under circumstances when such air rifle can be fired, discharged or operated in such a manner as not to endanger persons or property, and then only if it is used in such manner as to prevent the projectile from traversing any grounds or space outside the limits of such grounds or residence.
(Code 1992, § 26-24; Priv. Acts 1961, ch. 372, § 4)
Sec. 8-23. Lawful sales.
The provisions of this article shall not be construed to prohibit sales of air rifles:
(1) By wholesale dealers or jobbers.
(2) To be shipped out of the county.
(3) To be used at a target range operated in accordance with section 8-22 or by members of the armed services of the United States or veterans’ organizations.
(Code 1992, § 26-25; Priv. Acts 1961, ch. 372, § 5)
Sec. 8-24. Removal for violation.
The sheriff or a police officer shall seize, take, remove or cause to be removed, at the expense of the owner, all air rifles used or offered for sale in the county in violation of this article.
(Code 1992, § 26-26; Priv. Acts 1961, ch. 372, § 6)
Disclaimer
These rules and regulations were compiled to the best of my ability. The information on this article should not constitute as legal advice. Always check with your local jurisdiction for the final ruling.