The age limit for permitless carry could drop to 18, as Tennessee’s AG sides with gun rights

Permitless carry, sometimes referred to as constitutional carry, allows an individual to carry a gun without undergoing background checks or training. In 2021, Tennessee passed a law allowing permitless carry for adults 21 and over. A recent decision by the attorney general may soon pave the way for 18- to 20-year-olds to do the same.   

After the state began allowing permitless carry, a lawsuit was filed alleging the law’s exclusion of adults under 21 was unconstitutional. Last month, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti sided with the plaintiffs and signed an agreement that would allow that age group to carry without a license.

The settlement flew under the radar, but House Democrats say Skrmetti overstepped the legislative branch by not defending the state’s own law. House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, sparred with reporters over the decision.

“Well, there’s an agreement with the AG to come back, but we have to pass the bill to do it,” Sexton said. “We’ve been in conversations with the AG’s office. We understand what the court case said. On the House side, our plan is to pass constitutional carry 18 and above.”

Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, says Tennessee has some of the highest violent crime rates in the nation and this will make it worse.

“That would be, far more, one of the most irresponsible things that this state to do is give 18-year-olds, who are potentially still in high school, access to guns without any training, permit or military experience,” Lamar said.

Last year, Republicans introduced a bill to lower the permitless carry age to 18, but the bill never passed in the Senate.

While the judge hasn’t signed off on Skrmetti’s settlement, Republican leadership in the House say they are moving forward with a bill soon.