What Are the Magazine Capacity Limits in Tennessee?
Woody's answers are based on published federal and state law. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
Tennessee has no state-level magazine capacity limits. You can legally possess and use magazines of any capacity under Tennessee law.
What This Means for You
Tennessee takes a hands-off approach to magazine restrictions, putting it in line with most gun-friendly states. This means your build decisions aren't constrained by arbitrary capacity limits that exist in restrictive states. However, you still need to comply with federal regulations and be aware of where you might travel with your firearms.
The Detail
Tennessee state law does not impose any restrictions on magazine capacity for rifles, pistols, or shotguns. This applies to both possession and use of high-capacity magazines, whether you're at the range, hunting, or carrying for self-defense. The state legislature has consistently rejected attempts to impose magazine capacity limits.
While Tennessee doesn't restrict magazine capacity, federal law still applies to certain situations. If you're building an NFA item like an SBR or select-fire weapon, you'll need to follow all federal requirements regardless of Tennessee's permissive stance. Additionally, some federal facilities and military installations may have their own restrictions even within Tennessee.
The lack of magazine restrictions means you can freely purchase, sell, and transfer magazines of any capacity within the state. This includes magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, which are restricted or banned in states like California, New York, and others. Tennessee's approach aligns with constitutional carry principles and Second Amendment advocacy.
You should verify current state law through official Tennessee resources or consult with a firearms attorney, as laws can change. Also consider where you might travel with your firearms, since crossing into states with magazine restrictions while possessing high-capacity magazines could create legal issues.
Build Impact
You can spec standard or extended capacity magazines without legal concerns at the state level. This gives you flexibility to optimize your build for its intended purpose rather than working around arbitrary capacity restrictions.