On August 22, 2025, a three judge panel completely struck down as unconstitutional two of Tennessee’s more egregious gun control statutes – one which makes it a crime to carry a firearm with the “intent to go armed” and another which banned carrying certain weapons in parks, greenways, campgrounds and other recreational areas. This ruling was a huge win for Tennesseans.

Tennessee Firearms Association has received overwhelming support on this ruling from citizens, industry members, some legislators, and even several public defenders and members of law enforcement. This surprising but very meaningful phone message is just an example of the support that exists for this 2nd Amendment victory for Tennesseans, TFA, Gun Owners of America and those legislators, current and former, who have been the prime sponsors on the efforts to repeal these unconstitutional laws.

While many Tennesseans and 2nd Amendment advocates are celebrating, many who serve in government positions and claim to honor and defend the constitution apparently are not. Indeed, this ruling was likely a massive blow to the legislators, mainly those in the Republican super-majority caucus and its leadership, who have campaigned and claimed that they are strong defenders of the 2nd Amendment but have repeatedly failed to repeal these two statutes over the last 2 or more decades. For example, at a recent speaking event a Republican legislator was specifically asked why the bills to repeal these laws have failed and which members of the Republican caucus or leadership are the ones who are orchestrating the failures. Not surprisingly, the response to the question failed to name even a single legislator. Apparently, “don’t ask, don’t tell” is the team player theme in the Tennessee Legislature’s Republican caucus.

If you are aware of other Legislators, District Attorneys, Sheriffs or public officials who have taken a public position on this ruling, either supporting it or calling for an appeal, please send that provide that information to Tennessee Firearms Association.

If you appreciate the work that these Tennessee Firearms Association members did to serve as plaintiffs in this lawsuit and the work that TFA and Gun Owners of America has done to try to repeal these unconstitutional laws, please consider joining and supporting these efforts. If you want to help to fund this lawsuit (there will almost certainly be an appeal) or other similar lawsuits to defend our rights, you can consider tax deductible donations to the Tennessee Firearms Foundation.

What can you do now?

• read this opinion
• watch for this and additional reports on the impact of this ruling
• take copies of this opinion and these reports to your legislators and demand answers as to why they failed to take action so that this lawsuit would not have been required
• find constitutionally minded stewards to replace the legislators and governors who have failed us
• Call Governor Bill Lee ( 615-741-2001) and Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti (615-741-3491) and tell them to honor the court’s ruling and do not appeal.