Tennessee Sword Laws

A katana on a wall in Nashville, a longsword in a Memphis study, a fantasy claymore in a Knoxville apartment. Tennessee sword laws moved decisively in the permissive direction with three reforms: the 2013 statewide knife preemption, the 2014 switchblade legalization, and the 2014 removal of the 4-inch blade-length limit. Tennessee sword laws now impose no categorical knife bans, no blade-length caps, and no general concealed-carry restriction. The principal state-level location restriction is school property under T.C.A. § 39-17-1309, which captures bowie knives, hawk bill knives, ice picks, daggers, switchblades, and similar weapons when carried with intent to go armed.

Tennessee sword laws live in Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 of the Tennessee Code Annotated. The central provisions are T.C.A. § 39-17-1301 (definitions of "knife" and "switchblade"), § 39-17-1302 (prohibited weapons, no knives listed), § 39-17-1307 (carrying or possession of weapons), § 39-17-1309 (carrying or possession of weapons in school buildings and grounds), § 39-17-1310 (school weapons affirmative defenses), § 39-17-1314 (local regulation preempted), and § 39-17-1364 (purchase and shipment of weapons to residence). The 2013 preemption (Public Chapter 339), 2014 switchblade repeal (Acts ch. 870), 2014 blade-length repeal (Acts ch. 647), and 2023 voting exception together define the modern framework. This guide walks through what current Tennessee sword laws say.

What do Tennessee sword laws actually say?

T.C.A. § 39-17-1307(a)(1) provides: "A person commits an offense who carries, with the intent to go armed, a firearm or a club." Knives are not listed. The 2014 reform repealed the prior reference to knives, which had previously created the four-inch blade-length restriction. The current statute does not impose any general state-level restriction on knife carry, open or concealed. § 39-17-1307(d) separately makes it a Class E felony to possess any "deadly weapon other than a firearm" with the intent to employ it during a dangerous offense. The penalty doubles to a Class E felony with a maximum fine of $6,000 if the deadly weapon is a switchblade as defined in § 39-17-1301.

The state framework is conduct-based and intent-based under Tennessee sword laws. Carrying a knife or sword without criminal intent is not an offense under § 39-17-1307. The state does not distinguish between open and concealed carry of knives. There is no permit requirement, no blade-length cap, and no statewide categorical ban on any knife type. The 2013 preemption statute under § 39-17-1314(f) provides: "It is the intent of the general assembly that this part is preemptive with respect to the transfer, ownership, possession, or transportation of knives." Cities and counties cannot enact knife rules stricter than state law under Tennessee sword laws.

Is it legal to own a sword in Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee sword laws impose no restriction on the ownership of swords or any other knife category. Katanas, longswords, sabers, machetes, rapiers, kukris, claymores, sword canes, and fantasy replicas can all be purchased and kept in a private residence without a permit, registration, or background check. There is no blade-length cap for ownership, no inventory limit, and no list of generally prohibited sword types at the state level.

Switchblades, automatic knives, butterfly knives, gravity knives, balisongs, OTF knives, dirks, daggers, stilettos, bowie knives, hawk bill knives, sword canes, throwing stars, and double-edged blades are all legal to own. The 2014 switchblade repeal cleared the last categorical ban. § 39-17-1302 (prohibited weapons) does not list knives. The state framework treats sword ownership as a fully protected adult activity under Tennessee sword laws.

Does § 39-17-1307 apply to traditional swords?

Not for ordinary carry. § 39-17-1307(a)(1) prohibits carrying a firearm or club "with intent to go armed." Knives are not listed. The 2014 reform specifically removed knives from the unlawful-carry statute. A collector transporting a katana, a martial arts practitioner carrying a longsword, or a costume enthusiast carrying a saber is not engaged in unlawful carry under the current Tennessee framework. Tennessee sword laws have no general state-level restriction on knife or sword carry.

The § 39-17-1307(d) restriction on possession of "a deadly weapon other than a firearm with the intent to employ it during the commission of, attempt to commit, or escape from a dangerous offense" requires both possession and felonious intent. A knife or sword carried by a collector is not within the statute absent the criminal-intent element. The state framework treats the collector and the assailant differently based on conduct and intent under Tennessee sword laws. The conduct-based approach is among the cleanest in the country for sword collectors.

Tennessee rebuilt its knife code in two legislative sessions. The 2013 preemption and the 2014 substantive reforms made the state's framework one of the cleanest in the country.

How does the 2013 statewide knife preemption work?

T.C.A. § 39-17-1314(f) provides: "It is the intent of the general assembly that this part is preemptive with respect to the transfer, ownership, possession, or transportation of knives." The 2013 preemption (Public Chapter 339) prevents cities, counties, and metropolitan governments from creating their own knife regulations. Local ordinances that conflict with state law are unenforceable. For sword collectors moving across Tennessee, the framework provides uniform rules from Memphis to Bristol.

Before the 2013 preemption, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and other Tennessee cities maintained their own knife rules. After 2013, those rules became unenforceable to the extent they conflicted with state law. Combined with the 2014 substantive reforms, the preemption gave Tennessee sword laws one of the cleanest state-level positions in the country. The same rules apply uniformly across all 95 Tennessee counties under current Tennessee sword laws, and Tennessee sword laws apply equally in every city and rural area in the state.

What about schools and other restricted locations?

T.C.A. § 39-17-1309(b)(1) provides: "It is an offense for any person to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, with the intent to go armed, any firearm, explosive, explosive weapon, bowie knife, hawk bill knife, ice pick, dagger, slingshot, leaded cane, switchblade knife, blackjack, knuckles or any other weapon of like kind, not used solely for instructional or school-sanctioned ceremonial purposes, in any public or private school building or bus, on any public or private school campus, grounds, recreation area, athletic field or any other property owned, operated, or while in use by any board of education, school, college or university board of trustees, regents or directors." Penalty is a Class E felony.

A 2023 amendment created a narrow exception allowing a nonstudent adult to possess a concealed pocket knife on school property for the sole purpose of voting. "Pocket knife" is defined as a folding or collapsing knife that fits in a pocket when folded. The exception took effect July 1, 2023. Other restricted locations include:

• School buildings, buses, campuses, and grounds K through university (§ 39-17-1309, Class E felony)
• Posted private property (§ 39-17-1359)
• Government buildings with posted weapon prohibitions
• Federal buildings (governed by federal law)
• Secure areas of airports past TSA screening
• Aircraft regardless of carrier
• Detention facilities and jails
• Private property where the owner has banned weapons

How should collectors transport swords across Tennessee?

Transport under Tennessee sword laws is among the simplest in the country after the 2013 preemption and the 2014 substantive reforms. A sword in a hard case in the trunk, a katana in original packaging, a sheathed longsword in the back seat, a blade openly carried on a back-mounted scabbard, or a concealed sword inside a coat are all lawful at the state level. The state framework imposes no general carry restrictions on knives or swords. Statewide knife preemption ensures uniform rules in every city and county.

The principal practical adjustment for collectors is the school property rule under § 39-17-1309 and the § 39-17-1307(d) felony for deadly weapons possessed with intent to use during a dangerous offense. Avoid school property entirely (the 2023 voting exception is narrow). For collectors heading to knife shows, dojos, conventions, or hunting trips, Tennessee sword laws give one of the cleanest state-level carry positions in the country. The state framework treats adult collectors with substantial trust under Tennessee sword laws and reserves enforcement for criminal-intent and school-property contexts.

The bottom line on owning and carrying swords in Tennessee

Tennessee sword laws sit at the top of the permissive tier of the national spectrum after the 2013 preemption and the 2014 substantive reforms. Ownership is unrestricted. Open carry is unrestricted. Concealed carry is unrestricted with no permit requirement. The state explicitly removed knives from the unlawful-carry statute in 2014. Statewide knife preemption under § 39-17-1314(f) prevents local ordinances from eroding the framework. The principal state-level location restriction is § 39-17-1309 (school buildings and grounds, Class E felony for carrying with intent to go armed).

For anyone building a sword collection in Tennessee, the practical takeaway is short. Buy what you want, carry openly or concealed as preferred, drive across the state without worrying about local ordinances, stay clear of school buildings and grounds entirely, and remember that the § 39-17-1307(d) felony enhancement applies only when a deadly weapon is possessed with intent to use during a dangerous offense. Tennessee sword laws treat adult collectors with full trust and reserve enforcement for the location-specific and criminal-intent contexts.

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