On August 22, 2025, a three judge panel completely struck down as unconstitutional two of Tennessee’s more egregious gun control statutes – one which makes it a crime to carry a firearm with the “intent to go armed” and another which banned carrying certain weapons in parks, greenways, campgrounds and other recreational areas. This ruling…
Tennessee Attorney General appeals trial court ruling declaring two Tennessee gun control statutes unconstitutional
On September 2, 2025, the Tennessee Attorney General, Jonathan Skrmetti, filed a notice of appeal by himself, Governor Bill Lee, and other co-defendants. In this appeal, the Attorney General apparently seeks to reverse the entire three-judge panel ruling that two of Tennessee’s gun control statutes – the “intent to go armed” statute and the “parks”…
Tennessee Legislators calling for the State Attorney General to honor the trial court’s ruling
On August 22, 2025, a three judge panel completely struck down as unconstitutional two of Tennessee’s more egregious gun control statutes – one which makes it a crime to carry a firearm with the “intent to go armed” and another which banned carrying certain weapons in parks, greenways, campgrounds and other recreational areas. This ruling…
Overwhelming support for the trial court ruling striking down 2 Tennessee gun control statutes as unconstitutional
On August 22, 2025, a three judge panel completely struck down as unconstitutional two of Tennessee’s more egregious gun control statutes – one which makes it a crime to carry a firearm with the “intent to go armed” and another which banned carrying certain weapons in parks, greenways, campgrounds and other recreational areas. This ruling…
Protect our rights – take action now to stop any appeal
For over two decades the Tennessee Firearms Association has worked tirelessly in the state Legislature to repeal laws that violated Tennesseans’ constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms. It’s not every day that we receive a Second Amendment victory, but thanks to the work of the Tennessee Firearms Association and Gun Owners of America,…
Sen. Brent Taylor opposes State Attorney General appealing ruling declaring two gun control statutes unconstitutional
On August 26, 2025, Senator Brent Taylor (R) issued a letter to Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti in which Sen. Taylor supported the three-judge panel ruling against the State striking down the “intent to go armed” and “parks” statutes and encouraging that the Attorney General not appeal the ruling. Other state legislators, including Rep. Jody Barrett (video)…
Are the “Going Armed” and “Parks” statutes void now?
On August 22, 2025, a panel of three Tennessee judges ruled that Tennessee’s “intent to go armed” statute violates the Tennessee Constitution and the Second Amendment. The court also declared unconstitutional Tennessee’s statute which makes it a criminal offense to merely carry certain weapons in parks and recreational areas even if for self-defense. See, Stephen…
Hughes v. Lee – do we now have constitutional carry?
On August 22, 2025, a panel of three Tennessee judges issued a significant ruling on the limit imposed by the Tennessee Constitution on the scope of authority of the State of Tennessee to infringe rights of individuals to keep and bear arms. In Stephen Hughes, et al., v. Bill Lee, et al., Gibson Chancery No:…
Tennessee’s “intent to go armed” and “parks” statutes declared unconstitutional
On August 22, 2025, a three-judge panel (the “court”) in Tennessee declared Tennessee’s intent to go armed statute unconstitutional. The court also declared Tennessee’s statute that prohibits carrying firearms in parks to be unconstitutional. Tennessee’s “intent to go armed” statute is contained in Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1307(a)(1) which provides “A person commits an offense…
If the Speakers want it, they get it in Tennessee.
When then Governor Ned Ray McWherter wanted to rewrite the entire Tennessee criminal code in 1989, which changed the ability of non-criminals to carry rifles and shotguns from a right to a crime in one fell swoop, he did so with the assistance of Speaker Jimmy Naifeh who was his power broker. Speaker Naifeh wielded…