(a) As used in this section, “weapon of like kind” includes razors and razor blades, except those used solely for personal shaving, and any sharp pointed or edged instrument, except unaltered nail files and clips and tools used solely for preparation of food, instruction and maintenance.

Attorney's Note

Under the Tennessee Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
class E felony1 to 6 yearsup to $3,000
class B misdemeanorup to 6 monthsup to $500
For details, see Tenn. Code § 40-35-111
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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 39-17-1309

  • Agriculture: means :
    (i) The land, buildings and machinery used in the commercial production of farm products and nursery stock. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Club: means any instrument that is specially designed, made or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by striking a person with the instrument. See Tennessee Code 39-17-1301
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Explosive weapon: means any explosive, incendiary or poisonous gas:
    (i) Bomb. See Tennessee Code 39-17-1301
  • Force: means compulsion by the use of physical power or violence and shall be broadly construed to accomplish the purposes of this title. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Handgun: means any firearm with a barrel length of less than twelve inches (12") that is designed, made or adapted to be fired with one (1) hand. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Immediate vicinity: refers to the area within the person's immediate control within which the person has ready access to the ammunition. See Tennessee Code 39-17-1301
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Knife: means any bladed hand instrument that is capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by cutting or stabbing a person with the instrument. See Tennessee Code 39-17-1301
  • Knuckles: means any instrument that consists of finger rings or guards made of a hard substance and that is designed, made or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by striking a person with a fist enclosed in the knuckles. See Tennessee Code 39-17-1301
  • Law enforcement officer: includes a sheriff, sheriff's deputy, and, only for purposes of the enhancement of a crime, a deputy jailer. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Person: includes the singular and the plural and means and includes any individual, firm, partnership, copartnership, association, corporation, governmental subdivision or agency, or other organization or other legal entity, or any agent or servant thereof. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Property: means anything of value, including, but not limited to, money, real estate, tangible or intangible personal property, including anything severed from land, library material, contract rights, choses-in-action, interests in or claims to wealth, credit, admission or transportation tickets, captured or domestic animals, food and drink, electric or other power. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Public place: means a place to which the public or a group of persons has access and includes, but is not limited to, highways, transportation facilities, schools, places of amusement, parks, places of business, playgrounds and hallways, lobbies and other portions of apartment houses and hotels not constituting rooms or apartments designed for actual residence. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Services: includes labor, skill, professional service, transportation, telephone, mail, gas, electricity, steam, water, cable television, entertainment subscription service or other public services, accommodations in hotels, restaurants or elsewhere, admissions to exhibitions, use of vehicles or other movable property, and any other activity or product considered in the ordinary course of business to be a service, regardless of whether it is listed in this subdivision (a)(38) or a specific statute exists covering the same or similar conduct. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Switchblade knife: means any knife that has a blade which opens automatically by:
    (A) Hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle. See Tennessee Code 39-17-1301
  • United States: includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • written: includes printing, typewriting, engraving, lithography, and any other mode of representing words and letters. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b)

(1) It is an offense for any person to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, with the intent to go armed, any firearm, explosive, explosive weapon, bowie knife, hawk bill knife, ice pick, dagger, slingshot, leaded cane, switchblade knife, blackjack, knuckles or any other weapon of like kind, not used solely for instructional or school-sanctioned ceremonial purposes, in any public or private school building or bus, on any public or private school campus, grounds, recreation area, athletic field or any other property owned, operated, or while in use by any board of education, school, college or university board of trustees, regents or directors for the administration of any public or private educational institution.
(2)

(A) It is not an offense under this subsection (b) for a nonstudent adult to possess a pocket knife while the adult is on school property for the sole purpose of voting in an election if the pocket knife is concealed on the adult’s person and is not handled by the adult, or by any other person acting with the expressed or implied consent of the adult.
(B) As used in this subdivision (b)(2), “pocket knife” means a knife with one (1) or more blades that fold or collapse into the knife’s attached handle and that can be carried inside a person’s pocket when collapsed or folded.
(3) A violation of this subsection (b) is a Class E felony.
(c)

(1)

(A) It is an offense for any person to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, any firearm, not used solely for instructional or school-sanctioned ceremonial purposes, in any public or private school building or bus, on any public or private school campus, grounds, recreation area, athletic field or any other property owned, operated, or while in use by any board of education, school, college or university board of trustees, regents or directors for the administration of any public or private educational institution.
(B) It is not an offense under this subsection (c) for a nonstudent adult to possess a firearm, if the firearm is contained within a private vehicle operated by the adult and is not handled by the adult, or by any other person acting with the expressed or implied consent of the adult, while the vehicle is on school property.
(2) A violation of this subsection (c) is a Class B misdemeanor.
(d)

(1) Each chief administrator of a public or private school shall display in prominent locations about the school a sign, at least six inches (6″) high and fourteen inches (14″) wide, stating:

FELONY. STATE LAW PRESCRIBES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF SIX (6) YEARS IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE NOT TO EXCEED THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3,000) FOR CARRYING WEAPONS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY.

(2) As used in this subsection (d), “prominent locations about a school” includes, but is not limited to, sports arenas, gymnasiums, stadiums and cafeterias.
(e) Subsections (b) and (c) do not apply to the following persons:

(1) Persons employed in the army, air force, navy, coast guard or marine service of the United States or any member of the Tennessee national guard when in discharge of their official duties and acting under orders requiring them to carry arms or weapons;
(2) Civil officers of the United States in the discharge of their official duties;
(3) Officers and soldiers of the militia and the national guard when called into actual service;
(4) Officers of the state, or of any county, city or town, charged with the enforcement of the laws of the state, when in the discharge of their official duties;
(5) Any pupils who are members of the reserve officers training corps or pupils enrolled in a course of instruction or members of a club or team, and who are required to carry arms or weapons in the discharge of their official class or team duties;
(6) Any private police employed by the administration or board of trustees of any public or private institution of higher education in the discharge of their duties;
(7) Any registered security guard/officer who meets the requirements of title 62, chapter 35, and who is discharging the officer’s official duties;
(8)

(A) Persons possessing a handgun, who are authorized to carry the handgun pursuant to § 39-17-1351, while within or on a public park, natural area, historic park, nature trail, campground, forest, greenway, waterway, or other similar public place;
(B) Subdivision (e)(8)(A) shall not apply if the enhanced handgun carry permit holder:

(i) Possessed a handgun on property described in subdivision (e)(8)(A) that is owned or operated by a board of education, school, college, or university board of trustees, regents, or directors unless the permit holder’s possession is otherwise excepted by this subsection (e); or
(ii) Possessed a handgun in the immediate vicinity of property that was, at the time of possession, in use by any board of education, school, college or university board of trustees, regents, or directors for the administration of any public or private educational institution for the purpose of conducting an athletic event or other school-related activity on an athletic field, permanent or temporary, including but not limited to, a football or soccer field, tennis court, basketball court, track, running trail, Frisbee field, or any similar multi-use field; and
(iii) Knew or should have known that:

(a) An athletic event or school-related activity described in subdivision (e)(8)(B)(ii) was taking place on the property at the time of the possession; or
(b) The property on which the possession occurred was owned or operated by a school entity described in subdivision (e)(8)(B)(ii); or
(iv) Failed to take reasonable steps to leave the area of the athletic field or school-related activity or the property after being informed or becoming aware of:

(a) Its use for athletic or school-related purposes; or
(b) That it was, at the time of the possession, owned or operated by a school entity described in (e)(8)(B)(ii);
(9) Persons permitted to carry a handgun on the property of private K-12 schools by § 49-50-803, and persons permitted to carry a handgun on the property of private for-profit or nonprofit institutions of higher education pursuant to § 49-7-161; provided, that this subdivision (e)(9) shall apply only:

(A) To the school or institution where the person is located, when that school or institution has adopted a handgun carry policy pursuant to § 49-50-803 or § 49-7-161;
(B) While the person is on the property or grounds covered by the private school or institution’s policy; and
(C) When the person is otherwise in compliance with the policy adopted by the private school or institution;
(10) Persons carrying a handgun pursuant to § 49-6-809, § 49-6-815, or § 49-6-816; provided, that this subdivision (e)(10) shall apply only within and on the grounds of the school for which the person is authorized;
(11)

(A) Employees authorized to carry a handgun pursuant to § 39-17-1351 on property owned, operated, or controlled by the public institution of higher education at which the employee is employed;
(B)

(i) Any authorized employee who elects to carry a handgun pursuant to this subdivision (e)(11) shall provide written notification to the law enforcement agency or agencies with jurisdiction over the property owned, operated, or controlled by the public institution of higher education that employs the employee;
(ii) The employee’s name and any other information that might identify the employee as a person who has elected to carry a handgun pursuant to this subdivision (e)(11) shall be confidential, not open for public inspection, and shall not be disclosed by any law enforcement agency with which an employee registers; except that the employee’s name and other information may be disclosed to an administrative officer of the institution who is responsible for school facility security; provided, however, that the administrative officer is not the employee’s immediate supervisor or a supervisor responsible for evaluation of the employee. An administrative officer to whom such information is disclosed shall not disclose the information to another person. Identifying information about the employee collected pursuant to this subdivision (e)(11) shall not be disclosed to any person or entity other than another law enforcement agency and only for law enforcement purposes; and
(iii) Law enforcement agencies are authorized to develop and implement:

(a) Policies and procedures designed to implement the notification and confidentiality requirements of this subdivision (e)(11)(B); and
(b) A voluntary course or courses of special or supplemental firearm training to be offered to the employees electing to carry a handgun pursuant to this subdivision (e)(11). Firearm safety shall be a component of any firearm course;
(C) Unless carrying a handgun is a requirement of the employee’s job description, the carrying of a handgun pursuant to this subdivision (e)(11) is a personal choice of the employee and not a requirement of the employer. Consequently, an employee who carries a handgun on property owned, operated, or controlled by the public institution of higher education at which the employee is employed is not:

(i) Acting in the course of or scope of their employment when carrying or using the handgun;
(ii) Entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under § 9-8-307(a)(1)(K) for injuries arising from the carrying or use of a handgun;
(iii) Immune from personal liability with respect to use or carrying of a handgun under § 9-8-307(h);
(iv) Permitted to carry a handgun openly, or in any other manner in which the handgun is visible to ordinary observation; or
(v) Permitted to carry a handgun at the following times and at the following locations:

(a) Stadiums, gymnasiums, and auditoriums when school-sponsored events are in progress;
(b) In meetings regarding disciplinary matters;
(c) In meetings regarding tenure issues;
(d) A hospital, or an office where medical or mental health services are the primary services provided; and
(e) Any location where a provision of state or federal law, except the posting provisions of § 39-17-1359, prohibits the carrying of a handgun on that property;
(D) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a public institution of higher education shall be absolutely immune from claims for monetary damages arising solely from or related to an employee’s use of, or failure to use, a handgun; provided the employee is employed by the institution against whom the claim is filed and the employee elects to carry the handgun pursuant to this subdivision (e)(11). Nothing in this section shall expand the existing conditions under which sovereign immunity is waived pursuant to § 9-8-307; and
(E) As used in subdivisions (e)(11)-(13):

(i) “Employee” includes:

(a) All faculty, staff, and other persons who are employed on a full-time basis by a public institution of higher education; and
(b) All faculty, staff, and other persons who:

(1) Are retired federal, state, or local law enforcement officers;
(2) Served as a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer for at least twenty (20) years prior to retirement;
(3) Retired in good standing as certified by the chief law enforcement officer of the organization from which the officer retired; and
(4) Are employed on a part-time basis by a public institution of higher education; and
(ii) “Employee” does not include a person who is enrolled as a student at a public institution of higher education, regardless of whether the person is also an employee;
(12)

(A) Any employee of the University of Tennessee institute of agriculture or a college or department of agriculture at a campus in the University of Tennessee system when in the discharge of the employee’s official duties and with prior authorization from the chancellor of the University of Tennessee institute of agriculture; or
(B) Any employee of the University of Tennessee institute of agriculture or a college or department of agriculture at a campus in the University of Tennessee system, and any member of the employee’s household, living in a residence owned, used, or operated by the University of Tennessee, if the employee has prior authorization from the chancellor of the University of Tennessee institute of agriculture and the employee and household members are permitted to possess firearms in their residence under Tennessee and federal law; and
(13)

(A) Any employee of the university’s college or department of agriculture when in the discharge of the employee’s official duties and with prior authorization from the president of a university in the board of regents system;
(B) Any employee of the university’s college or department of agriculture, and any member of the employee’s household, living in a residence owned, used, or operated by the university, if the employee has prior authorization from the president of a university in the board of regents system and the employee and household members are permitted to possess firearms in their residence under Tennessee and federal law; or
(C) Any employee, with prior authorization of the president of a university in the board of regents system, who is engaged in wildlife biology or ecology research and education for the purpose of capture or collection of specimens.
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