Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, the Tri-Cities and every hollow in between: Tennessee buyers can order from JCM Armory and pick up at a local dealer. We’re a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL) in Joppa, Maryland, shipping firearms to local FFLs in 49 states (we do not ship to California). In Tennessee the background check is run by the state, so here’s how it works.
How buying a gun online works in Tennessee
- Pick your firearm and your dealer. Add the gun to your cart and choose a licensed Tennessee dealer at checkout. Plenty of Tennessee gun shops, outfitters and pawn shops handle transfers; confirm their fee first.
- We ship to your FFL. Once your dealer’s license is on file, we ship the firearm directly to them. Firearms are never shipped to a home address.
- TICS check and pickup. Show ID and complete ATF Form 4473. Your dealer submits the check through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Tennessee Instant Check System (TICS). Once approved, inspect the firearm and take it home.
What to know about firearm transfers in Tennessee
Federal dealer age limits apply: at least 21 for a handgun and at least 18 for a rifle or shotgun.
Tennessee is a “point of contact” state. Instead of calling the FBI, dealers request the check from the TBI, which searches state and federal records through TICS. A state background check fee may be collected by your dealer; ask them the current amount.
Tennessee has no state permit-to-purchase for buying from a dealer. A Tennessee handgun carry permit is a separate, optional permit for carrying.
Fort Campbell service members. According to TBI’s dealer guidance, ATF has determined that soldiers whose permanent duty station is Fort Campbell, which straddles the Tennessee–Kentucky line, may buy handguns and long guns in either Tennessee or Kentucky, provided they pass the background check. Bring your orders to the dealer.
Buyers are responsible for knowing and following federal, state and local law. Laws change, so confirm anything specific with your Tennessee dealer. This page is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Shipping and fees
- Free shipping on firearms priced $300 or more.
- Free ammunition shipping when your ammo subtotal reaches $750.
- Otherwise, a flat $15 shipping charge. Firearms and ammunition ship separately.
- Smokeless powder and primers carry a $40 hazmat fee per order.
- Your Tennessee dealer sets their own transfer fee and may collect the TBI check fee.
Popular categories for Tennessee shooters
- Bolt-action rifles and scopes for deer season
- Shotguns and shells for turkey and waterfowl on the Tennessee River lakes
- Semi-auto pistols and holsters
- AR rifles and magazines
- Handgun ammo and rifle ammo
- NFA items (2026 federal changes and Tennessee rules are in our Tennessee silencer guide)
Tennessee seasons, bag limits and legal methods are set by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). Check TWRA’s current hunting guide before you hunt.
Before you order in Tennessee
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation runs the TICS check, and its instant-check unit can get busy during holidays and before deer season, so plan your pickup with a little margin. Buyers in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville and Johnson City can choose from many dealers. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) sets deer, turkey and waterfowl seasons, and Reelfoot Lake duck hunters and Cumberland Plateau deer hunters will find shotguns and rifles in our catalog. Since 2021, eligible adults 21 and over can carry a handgun without a permit, though the enhanced handgun carry permit from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security is still useful for travel.
Frequently asked questions
Who runs the background check in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, through the Tennessee Instant Check System (TICS). Your dealer submits it after you complete ATF Form 4473.
Do I need a permit to buy a gun in Tennessee?
No state permit-to-purchase is required to buy from a dealer. You’ll still complete ATF Form 4473 and the TICS background check.
Can a gun be shipped to my house in Tennessee?
No. Firearms ship only to a licensed FFL dealer, where you complete the paperwork and background check before pickup.
How much does shipping to Tennessee cost?
Firearms priced $300 or more ship free, ammo ships free at a $750 ammo subtotal, and other orders ship for a flat $15. Powder and primers add a $40 hazmat fee per order.
Do you ship to every state?
We ship firearms to local FFL dealers in 49 states. We do not ship to California.