How to Get an FFL in Tennessee
Tennessee is a deeply firearms-friendly state — home to constitutional carry since 2021, no state waiting period, no magazine restrictions, and a thriving firearms market anchored by a strong manufacturing tradition, outdoor recreation culture, and population growth in Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. Whether you're opening a gun store in Murfreesboro, a home-based dealership in rural Robertson County, or a manufacturing operation in the greater Memphis area — here's everything you need to apply, get approved, and stay compliant from day one.
(3-year license)
Since
License Required
or Mag Limits
Eligibility Requirements
Before submitting your application, confirm that you meet all federal eligibility criteria. Tennessee does not impose additional state-level eligibility requirements for FFL applicants beyond standard business registration.
Federal Requirements (All States)
- At least 21 years old
- U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- Not under indictment or convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Not a fugitive from justice
- Not an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance
- Not adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to a mental institution
- Not dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces
- Not subject to a court order restraining you from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child
- Not convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
- Have premises for conducting business (can be home-based in Tennessee)
- Not prohibited from possessing firearms under federal, state, or local law
Tennessee-Specific Eligibility Notes
- Tennessee does not require a separate state firearms dealer license — your federal FFL is sufficient
- You will need a Tennessee Sales Tax registration from the Tennessee Department of Revenue
- Some cities and counties may require a local business license — check with your municipality
- Tennessee has a county-level business tax administered through county clerks
- Zoning compliance is required — especially important for home-based FFLs
FFL Types & Cost Breakdown
The type of FFL you apply for depends on your intended business activities. Most Tennessee gun stores apply for a Type 01 license. Pawn shops with firearms choose Type 02. Tennessee has a notable firearms manufacturing sector — Type 07 is increasingly common as custom gunsmithing and small-batch manufacturing operations grow across the state.
| Type | Description | Initial Fee (3 Yr) | Renewal Fee (3 Yr) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Dealer in Firearms | $200 | $90 | Gun stores, home-based dealers |
| 02 | Pawnbroker | $200 | $90 | Pawn shops dealing in firearms |
| 03 | Collector of Curios & Relics | $30 | $30 | Personal collectors (not for business) |
| 06 | Manufacturer of Ammunition | $30 | $30 | Ammo reloaders and manufacturers |
| 07 | Manufacturer of Firearms | $150 | $150 | Gun builders, custom shops |
| 08 | Importer of Firearms | $150 | $150 | Firearms importers |
| 09 | Dealer in Destructive Devices | $3,000 | $3,000 | Specialized dealers |
| 10 | Manufacturer of Destructive Devices | $3,000 | $3,000 | Specialized manufacturers |
| 11 | Importer of Destructive Devices | $3,000 | $3,000 | Specialized importers |
Tennessee is fully NFA-friendly — suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and machine guns are all legal with appropriate federal tax stamps. Tennessee's hunting culture, rural landscape, and strong outdoor recreation market make suppressor sales a natural niche for Tennessee FFLs. If you plan to deal in NFA items, you'll need a Special Occupational Tax (SOT) in addition to your FFL. Class 3 SOT is $500/year for dealers with gross receipts under $500K.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Prepare Your Business Structure
Decide on your business entity (sole proprietor, LLC, corporation). Register with the Tennessee Secretary of State if forming an LLC or corporation (Tennessee LLC filing fee: $300). Obtain an EIN from the IRS. Register for Tennessee Sales and Use Tax with the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Check county clerk for county business tax registration. Confirm your premises meets local zoning requirements.
Choose Your FFL Type & Complete ATF Form 7
Select the FFL type matching your activities, then download and complete ATF Form 7 (5310.12). Provide complete details about your business, all responsible persons, and your premises. Errors are the #1 cause of delays — double-check every field before submitting.
Complete Fingerprint Cards & Photographs
Each responsible person must complete two FBI fingerprint cards (FD-258) and provide two 2×2 passport-style photographs. In Tennessee, fingerprinting services are available at local law enforcement agencies, UPS Store locations, IdentoGO enrollment centers in Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Memphis, and many sheriff's offices across all 95 counties.
Submit Application & Fee
Mail the completed Form 7, fingerprint cards, photographs, and your application fee (check or money order payable to ATF) to the ATF Federal Firearms Licensing Center in Atlanta, GA. The correct mailing address is printed on the form instructions. You may also apply through ATF's eApplication portal.
Notify Your Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO)
Send a copy of your completed ATF Form 7 to your local CLEO — typically your county sheriff or municipal chief of police. Tennessee has 95 counties. This is notification only — CLEO approval is not required for your FFL.
Complete the ATF Interview & Inspection
An ATF Industry Operations Inspector (IOI) will schedule a premises visit. They'll verify your identity, inspect storage and security, and confirm your understanding of federal firearms laws — including 4473 procedures, A&D bound book requirements, NICS background checks, and multiple sale reporting obligations. Tennessee falls under the ATF Nashville Field Division.
Set Up Your Compliance Systems
Before your first transaction, establish your A&D Bound Book, implement 4473 processing, and configure your NICS background check workflow. Tennessee's straightforward compliance environment — no state supplemental forms, no waiting period, direct FBI NICS — makes launching with Bravo E4473 from day one simple and efficient.
Timeline & Process Flowchart
Here's a realistic timeline for the Tennessee FFL application process from start to finish:
| Phase | Activity | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Application | Business setup, zoning check, entity registration | 1–2 weeks |
| Application | Complete ATF Form 7, fingerprints, photos, submit | 1–2 weeks |
| ATF Processing | Background checks, application review | 30–45 days |
| ATF Interview | Inspector visit, premises inspection | 1–2 weeks (scheduling) |
| Approval | FFL issued | 1–2 weeks after interview |
| Total | Business setup through FFL in hand | 60–90 days typical |
Tennessee-Specific Requirements
Tennessee has one of the most dealer-friendly compliance environments in the country. No state supplemental transfer forms, no waiting period, no magazine restrictions, and a strong firearms preemption law that keeps rules consistent statewide. The primary state-level business requirements unique to Tennessee are sales and use tax registration and the county-level business tax.
State Business Requirements
- Tennessee Sales and Use Tax — Tennessee's state sales tax rate is 7%, with a local option rate of up to 2.75%, making the maximum combined rate 9.75% in some jurisdictions. Firearms and ammunition are taxable at the full rate. Register through the Tennessee Department of Revenue via TNTAP (Tennessee Taxpayer Access Point).
- Tennessee Business Tax — Most Tennessee businesses are subject to a county-level business tax administered through county clerks. Classifications and rates vary. Register with your county clerk's office before opening for business.
- Secretary of State Registration — LLCs and corporations must register with the Tennessee Secretary of State. Tennessee LLC filing fee is $300 online. Annual reports are required.
- Local Business Licenses — Nashville-Davidson, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis, and other Tennessee cities may require local business licensing. Unincorporated county areas typically only require county business tax registration. Check with your city or town hall.
Tennessee Firearms Laws Relevant to FFLs
- Constitutional carry since July 1, 2021 — Tennessee enacted permitless carry effective July 1, 2021 (Public Chapter 108). Persons 21 or older (or 18+ for active duty military and honorably discharged veterans) who are not otherwise prohibited may carry a handgun openly or concealed without a permit.
- Tennessee Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit (EHCP) — Tennessee still offers voluntary permit programs for reciprocity. The Enhanced permit requires an 8-hour safety course. Many Tennesseans maintain an EHCP for travel to states requiring a permit.
- No state waiting period — Once NICS returns "Proceed," the transfer can be completed immediately. No state-mandated waiting period for any firearm type.
- No state permit to purchase required for handguns or long guns
- No state assault weapons ban
- No magazine capacity restrictions
- NFA items are legal with appropriate federal tax stamps — suppressors are particularly popular among Tennessee hunters and sport shooters
- Direct FBI NICS state — Tennessee does not use a state point-of-contact; all background checks go directly through FBI NICS
- Tennessee preemption law (T.C.A. § 39-17-1314) — Tennessee has strong statewide firearms preemption. Local governments cannot enact firearms ordinances that are more restrictive than state law. Compliance rules are consistent whether you're in Nashville, Knoxville, rural Fentress County, or anywhere in between.
- Private party transfers — Tennessee does not require private party firearm transfers to go through an FFL dealer
- Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act — Tennessee has enacted statutes asserting that firearms manufactured and retained within Tennessee are exempt from federal regulation — though federal courts have consistently held this does not override federal law. FFLs should continue full federal compliance regardless.
Tennessee's combined state and local sales tax rates are among the highest in the nation, reaching up to 9.75% in some jurisdictions. The state rate is 7%; local option rates add up to 2.75%. Unlike some states with complex jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction filing requirements, Tennessee allows consolidated filing through the TNTAP portal. If you sell online and ship to Tennessee addresses, sales tax nexus rules apply — consult a Tennessee CPA when setting up your tax compliance.
Tennessee's preemption statute (T.C.A. § 39-17-1314) means that regardless of whether your FFL is located in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, or a small rural community, your compliance obligations are governed by state and federal law only. You don't need to research city-by-city firearms ordinances — Nashville, Memphis, and other large municipalities cannot impose stricter firearms rules than Tennessee state law permits.
CLEO Notification in Tennessee
Federal law requires you to provide a copy of your ATF Form 7 to the Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) in your jurisdiction — typically your county sheriff or municipal chief of police. Tennessee has 95 counties. This is a notification only; the CLEO cannot approve or deny your FFL application.
How to Find Your CLEO
- County Sheriff — Find your county sheriff via the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association
- Municipal Police Chief — If operating within a city or town with its own police department, notify that department's chief. Nashville-Davidson (Metro Police), Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Clarksville all have their own police departments.
- Tennessee has 95 counties — from densely populated Shelby (Memphis), Davidson (Nashville), Knox (Knoxville), and Hamilton (Chattanooga) counties to vast rural counties in Middle and East Tennessee
While CLEO notification is informational and does not require approval, skipping it can delay ATF processing. Send your CLEO notification at the same time you mail your ATF Form 7 or shortly after. Keep a copy of your mailing confirmation for your records.
Home-Based FFLs in Tennessee
Tennessee is an excellent state for home-based FFLs. There is no state law prohibiting them, and Tennessee's large rural counties — which make up the vast majority of the state's geography — are particularly well-suited for home-based operations serving dispersed communities. Key considerations:
- Zoning — Nashville-Davidson, Knoxville, Memphis, and Chattanooga have home occupation ordinances that may restrict signage, customer traffic, and certain commercial activities in residential zones. Unincorporated areas of the state's many rural counties typically have minimal or no zoning restrictions. Always verify with your local planning department or county before applying.
- Storage & Security — The ATF inspector will verify secure firearm storage. A quality gun safe or dedicated locked storage area is expected. Tennessee's varying climate — including hot, humid summers — should factor into your storage solution choice to protect inventory from heat and moisture.
- Sales Tax for Home-Based Sales — Even home-based dealers selling retail must register for Tennessee sales and use tax and collect the applicable state and local rate on all taxable sales.
- HOA Restrictions — Planned communities across Nashville suburbs, Williamson County, and other growing Tennessee areas may have HOA restrictions on home-based commercial activity, business signage, or customer visits. Review your CC&Rs carefully before applying.
- Insurance — Standard homeowner's insurance will not cover commercial firearms inventory or business liability. A dedicated commercial firearms dealer policy is essential before taking any inventory into your home.
- County Business Tax — Home-based dealers are generally subject to Tennessee's county business tax. Register with your county clerk's office.
Tennessee's rapid population growth — particularly in the Nashville suburbs (Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, and Sumner counties), the Knoxville metro, and the Tri-Cities region — has created strong demand for convenient local FFL transfer services. Many Tennessee home-based FFLs build loyal customer bases as the closest transfer agent for online firearm purchases in fast-growing suburban and exurban communities. Tennessee's strong gun culture and high per-capita firearm ownership make this a particularly viable business model.
4473 Requirements in Tennessee
Every firearm transfer from a Tennessee FFL requires a completed ATF Form 4473 and a NICS background check. Tennessee's compliance environment is among the most streamlined in the country — standard federal form, direct FBI NICS, no state supplemental requirements, no waiting period.
Official Resources & Links
Bookmark these — you'll reference them throughout the application process and during ongoing operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
See How Bravo E4473 Works for Tennessee FFLs
Smart 4473 forms. Integrated A&D Bound Book. Cloud storage with ATF audit portal. Auto-generated multiple sale reports. All in one system — no bolt-on integrations required.
Schedule a Free Demo →© 2026 Bravo Store Systems. All rights reserved. | E4473.com | (888) 407-6287
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the ATF and your legal counsel before applying.