How to Get an FFL in Tennessee

The type of FFL you apply for depends on your intended business activities. Most Tennessee gun stores apply for a Type 01 license, and pawn shops with firearms choose Type 02. Tennessee has a notable firearms manufacturing sector, so Type 07 is increasingly common as custom gunsmithing and small-batch manufacturing operations grow across the state.

• Type 01 Dealer in firearms other than destructive devices. The standard retail gun store license. $200 for three years, $90 to renew.
• Type 02 Pawnbroker dealing in firearms. $200 for three years.
• Type 06 Manufacturer of ammunition. $30 for three years.
• Type 07 Manufacturer of firearms and ammunition. $150 for three years.
• Type 03 Collector of Curio and Relic firearms. $30 for three years.

1. 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 is $300), obtain an EIN from the IRS, register for Tennessee Sales and Use Tax with the Tennessee Department of Revenue, check with your county clerk for county business tax registration, and confirm your premises meets local zoning requirements.

2. Choose your FFL type and 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 number one cause of delays, so double-check every field before submitting.

3. Complete fingerprint cards and photographs. Each responsible person must complete two FBI fingerprint cards (FD-258) and provide two 2x2 passport-style photographs. In Tennessee, fingerprinting services are available at local law enforcement agencies, UPS Store locations, IdentoGO enrollment centers, and many sheriff's offices across all 95 counties.

4. Submit your application and 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. You may also apply through ATF's eApplication portal.

5. 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 a notification only, and CLEO approval is not required.

6. Complete the ATF interview and inspection. An ATF Industry Operations Inspector (IOI) will schedule a premises visit. They will verify your identity, inspect storage and security, and confirm your understanding of federal firearms laws, including 4473 procedures, A&D Book requirements, NICS background checks, and multiple sale reporting. Tennessee falls under the ATF Nashville Field Division.

7. Set up your compliance systems. Before your first transaction, establish your A&D 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 e4473 from day one simple, with no paper forms and no handwritten A&D Book.

A realistic Tennessee FFL timeline runs through business and application preparation, mailing and ATF intake, the inspector interview, and final approval. Tennessee's clean compliance environment with no state supplemental forms keeps the process simple. Clean applications with no errors move fastest.

Tennessee has one of the most dealer-friendly compliance environments in the country. There are no state supplemental transfer forms, no waiting period, and no magazine restrictions, with 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: the 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. Register through the Tennessee Department of Revenue via TNTAP.
• Tennessee Business Tax: most Tennessee businesses are subject to a county-level business tax administered through county clerks. Register with your county clerk's office before opening.
• Secretary of State registration: LLCs and corporations must register with the Tennessee Secretary of State. The LLC filing fee is $300 online, and annual reports are required.
• Local business licenses: Nashville-Davidson, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis, and other cities may require local business licensing. Unincorporated county areas typically only require county business tax registration.

Tennessee firearms laws relevant to FFLs:

• Constitutional carry since July 1, 2021 (Public Chapter 108): persons 21 or older (or 18-plus for active duty military and honorably discharged veterans) who are not otherwise prohibited may carry without a permit
• Tennessee still offers a voluntary Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit for reciprocity
• No state waiting period; once NICS returns Proceed, the transfer can be completed immediately
• No state permit to purchase required for handguns or long guns
• No state assault weapons ban and no magazine capacity restrictions
• NFA items are legal with appropriate federal tax stamps
• Direct FBI NICS state; Tennessee does not use a state point of contact
• Tennessee preemption law (T.C.A. 39-17-1314) prevents local governments from enacting firearms ordinances stricter than state law
• Tennessee does not require private party firearm transfers to go through an FFL dealer

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, each with an elected sheriff. 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 through your county website or the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association
• Municipal police chief: if operating within a city or town with its own police department, notify that department's chief

While CLEO notification is informational and does not require approval, skipping it can delay ATF processing. Send it at the same time you mail your ATF Form 7 or shortly after.

Tennessee allows home-based FFLs, and there is no state law prohibiting them. Tennessee's rapid population growth has created strong demand for convenient local transfer services. Key considerations:

• Zoning: your city or county may have home occupation restrictions. Unincorporated and rural areas typically have fewer restrictions. Always verify with your local planning department before applying.
• Storage and security: the ATF inspector will verify secure firearm storage. A quality gun safe or dedicated locked storage area is expected. Tennessee's hot, humid summers should factor into your storage setup.
• 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.
• HOA restrictions: planned communities across the Nashville suburbs and other growing areas may restrict home-based commercial activity, signage, or customer visits. Review your governing documents carefully.
• County business tax: home-based dealers are generally subject to Tennessee's county business tax. Register with your county clerk's office.
• Insurance: standard homeowner's insurance will not cover commercial firearms inventory or business liability. A dedicated commercial firearms dealer policy is essential before taking in any inventory.

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 makes this a particularly viable business model.

Every firearm transfer from a Tennessee FFL requires a completed ATF Form 4473 and a NICS background check. Tennessee follows federal 4473 requirements with no additional state-level questions or forms and no waiting period. For a full walkthrough of the form, see what questions are asked on a 4473 form.

• ATF Federal Firearms Licensing Center (FFLC)
• ATF Form 7 (5310.12) application
• Tennessee Department of Revenue (sales and use tax, TNTAP)
• Tennessee Secretary of State (business registration)
• Your county clerk (county business tax)
• FBI NICS for background checks