English
EspañolIf the abuser has been convicted of a crime, can s/he have or buy a gun?
Tennessee state law says that a person cannot have or buy a gun if s/he:
- has been convicted of a felony involving the use or attempted use of force, violence, or a deadly weapon;
- has been convicted of a felony drug crime; or
- has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.1
Tennessee law also says that anyone who has been convicted of a felony is prohibited from having a handgun.2
Note: If a police officer believes that a crime of domestic violence has taken place, the officer can take all weapons, including guns, that the abuser used or threatened to use against you. The officer may also take any weapons that are in plain view at the scene of the crime.3 The weapons will be returned to the abuser if the police find that no crime has been committed.
Also, if someone is sentenced to probation, a court can order that s/he cannot have a gun as a condition of his/her probation.4 A court can also forbid someone to have a gun as a condition of release with bail, if the abuser is arrested for violating a protection order or various other crimes.5
1 TN ST § 39-17-1307(b), (f)
2 TN ST § 39-17-1307(c)
3 TN ST § 36-3-620(a)(1)
4 TN ST § 40-35-303(d)(6)
5 TN ST § 40-11-150(b)(4)
