A bill filed in the Tennessee General Assembly would lower the age to carry a handgun to 18, down from 21.
Current state law prohibits people under 21 from carrying a handgun unless they meet specific exemption criteria. That criteria includes being an active duty servicemember at least 18 years old, an honorably discharged veteran at least 18, or having completed specific military basic training programs.
The proposed law, would still prohibit juveniles from carrying handguns “with the intent to go armed.”
The bill would allow those at least 18 years old to apply for an enhanced or concealed handgun carry permit rather than wait until they are 21.