Posted Properties
The locations/businesses listed on this page have signs posted stating guns or
weapons are not allowed on their property. I have indicated whether the sign
appears to meet Tennessee legal requirements, however, remember several things:
1. TN statute used to specify that a sign "must say" an exact phrase, but current law says the verbage
only has to be be "substantially similar" to the verbage given in the statute, therefore a sign that
previously did not conform to the law may now conform, a store or business may change a sign so it
does conform, or someone's opinion of whether a sign does conform to the statute may be incorrect.
***NOTE: The "meets legal" column of this page is an opinion, and IS NOT any type of suggestion.
2. If the sign conforms, it is illegal to carry a gun into that business, even if it's concealed.
3. Even if the sign does not conform, the business still does not want you on the property with a
gun, even if carrying a gun there is otherwise legal.
4. A business can ask a person to leave for any reason that doesn't violate discrimination laws.
If you are asked to leave and you don't, you are then trespassing, regardless of any signage.
5. As of 7/14/09, it is legal to carry in a Tennessee restaurant that serves alcohol, as long as
you aren't drinking, assuming restaurant has not posted a legal sign. With the current gun
paranoia and the extreme amount of misinformation being reported by the media and the Restaurant
Association, many restaurants that were not previously posted have now posted signs.
UPDATE: Approximately August, 2009. Carrying in a restaurant that serves alcohol is now again
illegal, due to a ruling by a judge in some case in East Tennessee. I will update again
if anything changes.
UPDATE: 6/11/10, a new statute has passed which makes it legal again to carry in
establishments that serve alcohol. There are some changes from the old law.
The law allows valid handgun carry permit holders to carry in establishments
where alcohol is served UNLESS the restaurant/bar is posted by the owner as
a no-gun zone.
The international prohibited sign (gun with circle and slash) is now sufficient
as a posting, if placed at all entrances. No verbage is required.
It is still illegal to carry a gun while you are drinking. The penalty for drinking
while carrying is a year in jail and a $2500 fine, plus loss of gun permit for three
years. DO NOT drink while armed.
The penalty for getting caught in a properly posted location is a $500 fine.
6. This data is provided for informational purposes only. I am in no way suggesting where you
carry or don't carry a gun. The only suggestion I can make is that you always obey the law.
7. Even though I try to keep this updated, things change, so the information could be out of date.
LINKS
email an update to me More posted locations info TN AG opinion on the sinage law
T.C.A. 39-17-1359 (a) Posted Properties (Slightly abbreviated for clarity)
A business entity...or agent thereof is authorized to prohibit the possession of weapons
by any person otherwise authorized...at meetings conducted by, or on property owned,
operated, or managed or under the control of said entity.
Notice of the prohibition shall be posted or displayed in prominent locations, including
all entrances primarily used by persons entering the building, portion of the building or
buildings where weapon possession is prohibited.
The notice shall be in English...In addition to the sign, notice may also include the
international circle and slash symbolizing the prohibition of the item within the circle.
The sign shall be of a size that is plainly visible to the average person entering the...
premises or property and shall contain language substantially similar to the following:
PURSUANT TO § 39-17-1359, THE OWNER/OPERATOR OF THIS PROPERTY HAS BANNED WEAPONS ON
THIS PROPERTY, OR WITHIN THIS BUILDING OR THIS PORTION OF THIS BUILDING. FAILURE TO
COMPLY WITH THIS PROHIBITION IS PUNISHABLE AS A CRIMINAL ACT UNDER STATE LAW AND MAY
SUBJECT THE VIOLATOR TO A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500).
For the exact full text of the law, see this link: Posted Properties Law
Mississippi law:
The carrying of a concealed pistol or revolver may be disallowed in any place in
the discretion of the person or entity exercising control over the physical location
of such place by the placing of a written notice clearly readable at a distance of
not less than ten (10) feet that the "carrying of a pistol or revolver is prohibited."
Note regarding the post office:
Post offices are federal property, therefore federal laws apply there. Federal law has a
clause stating that it is illegal to carry on federal property, but lists an exception for
"other lawful purposes" but, "other lawful purposes" is not clearly defined in the law.
There are two main camps of opinion regarding whether it is legal to carry in a post
office. One is that it is illegal. The other is that carrying for self defense is
considered a "lawful purpose." By far, the more common of those two is the former,
therefore I recommend that you assume it is illegal. The latter of the two are folks
looking for a loophole and looking for a loophole seldom works in your favor.
Additionally, since post offices are federal property, the Tennessee permit isn't
recognized there anyway, since it isn't considered part of the state of Tennessee.
Even though most post offices are posted, I didn't list the post office as a posted
property on this page, because, as stated, it doesn't fall under Tennessee law.
All locations are in Memphis, unless otherwise noted.
As of July, 2010, I deleted the "Meets Legal" section, because the new law doesn't require verbage.
Business name Location
1. St. Francis Hospital 5959 Park Ave
2. Baptist Hospital Women’s Building 6225 Humphreys Boulevard
3. Baptist Hospital 6019 Walnut Grove Road
4. Old Timers Restaurant, Millington 7918 "C" Street
5. MLGW (probably all locations) 2424 Summer Avenue
6. 201 Poplar (the jail) 201 Poplar Avenue
7. 200 Jefferson Avenue (Federal Building) 200 Jefferson Avenue
8. Peabody Place 150 Peabody Place
9. KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) All locations, probably
10. State of TN Career Center All locations
11. Costco ***see note below All locations
12. Methodist Hospital ER 1265 Union Avenue
13. MPD Academy (not the shooting range) 4371 O.K. Robertson Road
14. Tunica, MS Casinos Tunica, MS
15. Value City Furniture 6393 Winchester Road/7930 Giacosa Place
16. Kawasaki of Memphis, Bartlett 6412 Summer Avenue
17. First Trust Bank, Bartlett 8398 Highway 64
18. Memphis International Airport 2491 Winchester Road
19. Baptist Hospital ER 6019 Walnut Grove Road
20. Veterans Hospital 1030 Jefferson Avenue
21. Waffle House (probably all locations) 5255 Summer Ave
22. Driver Testing Center 3200 East Shelby Drive
23. Tunica River Queen, Dinner Cruise Tunica, MS
24. The Gold Rush Restaurant and Bar Nashville, TN
25. Beale Street (the entire street) Downtown
26. Friday's (probably all locations) 8325 US Highway 64
27. East End Grill (probably all locations) 7956 Winchester Road
27a. East End Grill 7547 Us Highway 64
28. Rafferty's (probably all locations) 505 North Germantown Parkway, Cordova
29. Logan's Steakhouse (probably all locations) 2710 N. Germantown Parkway, Cordova
30. Houston's Restaurant 5000 Poplar Avenue
31. Memphis Area Teachers Credit Union 7845 Highway 64, Bartlett
32. Side Car Cafe 2194 Whitten Rd
33. Buffalo Wild Wings 3448 Poplar Avenue
34. Shelby County Health Department 814 Jefferson
35. Folk's Folly Restaurant 551 South Mendenhall
36. Fleming's Steak House 6245 Poplar Ave
37. Huey's 7825 Winchester Road
38. Jared's the Galleria of Jewelry All locations, probably
39. Molly's La Casita 2006 Madison Avenue
40. Firebird's Rocky Mountain Grill 8470 US Highway 64
41. Coletta's Italian Restaurant 2850 Appling Road
42. Desoto Civic Center 3146 East Goodman Road, Southaven
43. Chow Time Restaurant 4207 Hacks Cross Road
SIM = Seen it myself
FBS = Forwarded by someone else
UNK = Unknown
1. SIM. A sign with some verbage that may be substantially similar but not posted at
the door. The sign is in the ground at the corner of the building.
2. SIM. Appeared to be substantially similar.
3. FBS. No other info available, but probably is substantially similar.
4. SIM. This is an "guns/alcohol" sign and not a "we don't want guns" sign. I have been
told that the owners don't mind people with permits, however, I don't know if
that's true or if they serve alcohol.
5. SIM. Generic "no weapons" verbage. Sign is a rules list with various items on it.
6. SIM. No sign, but you must go through a metal detector.
7. SIM. Federal signs. This is the federal building so TN law doesn't apply anyway.
8. SIM. Ambiguous verbage saying "no items that can be classified as a weapon, even
if it is legal" or words to that effect, about 8 or 9 down in a list of 10
or 15 rules, on a sign that doesn't even face the door.
9. SIM. Gunbuster sign, verbage that says "Carry of a handgun not allowed."
10. SIM. This is the unemployment office. Gunbuster sign and generic verbage that
did not appear to meet requirements.
11. FBS. According to the following letter, Costco has a company policy that prohibits
firearms, saying shoppers are welcome, just not their firearms. Costco Letter
I have been told that local Costco stores do not have signs posted, but I have
also been told by someone in another state that some Costco stores do. The
letter referenced here is in regards to the overall general company policy.
12. SIM. Gunbuster sign, verbage that says "no weapons allowed," but there
are metal detectors at the door.
13. SIM. This is the MPD training facility. The sign is posted at the front administrative
building, not the shooting range, which is at the back of the property.
14. SIM. Most casinos have generic verbage at or near the entrance, but most don't seem to conform
to MS law. I have not found an actual MS law making casino carry illegal but many cops and
casino employees will tell you it is illegal. I have also been told the MS.gov web site
lists it, but I couldn't find it. It's probably one of those things people believe "just
must be illegal." Of course, I am in no way suggesting you carry a gun into a casino.
*SIDE NOTE* As far as my research has shown, it is not illegal to carry in Las Vegas casinos
and I don't recall any sinage at casinos I've visited, but they do search your car (but not
your person) at a few casinos if you park in the parking garage, and as you cross Hoover Dam
coming into Nevada. I suspect they are interested in bombs and not people with permits.
15. FBS. No other information, other than a suggestion to shop at Royal Furniture.
16. FBS. Sign is inside the building, not at the door. No info on verbage. This sign was put
up after a shooting. Of course, the sign would not have prevented the shooting, as
the shooter was not carrying legally in the first place. It is my understanding he
was a gang member with a previous record. The sign would have done nothing.
17. FBS. No other info available.
18. SIM. Previously, it was technically legal to carry inside the airport as long as you didn't go
into the terminal (past the metal detectors), however, the front doors are now posted, and
appear to be posted correctly, so it's illegal to carry anywhere inside the aiport.
*UPDATE* from a friend who is a pilot: As of December 2007 the doors are now posted with a
very prominent color sign that definitely appears to meet the legal criteria, and it appears
to be posted at every entrance, and on both doors at every entrance. If it wasn't clear
before, it is definitely clear now. Picture 1 Picture 2
19. SIM. Generic "no weapons" verbage and gunbuster sign.
20. SIM. Appears to be federal property. Has federal signs inside at the reception desk.
21. SIM. Generic verbage inside, not in a particularly conspicuous place.
22. SIM. Generic verbage on the outside of the exit door. Saw nothing at the entrance.
23. SIM. Number 6 or 7 on a list of things "required by all passengers." The sign simply states
that no firearms or weapons are allowed and does not seem to conform to MS state law, but
the sign says that it is "in accordance with coast guard regulations."
24. UNK. The owner of this establishment stated in an article in the Tennessean Newspaper on 4-7-09
that if the new restaurant bill passes, he will do everything he can to keep guns out of
his business, even if it means hiring a guard to stand outside the door 24 hours a day.
25. UNK. Beale Street, the entire street, is now off limits, according to Memphis police
officials. There will be blockades, and anyone entering or leaving Beale will
be wanded, and any guns found will be confiscated. Addtionally, according to
the newspaper, many of the businesses along Beale will be posting signs. I'm
not sure about the legality of making an entire public street off limits, but I
guess it will be this way until it is challenged somehow. It should be noted,
however, that this has already taking place on the weekends for some years now,
long before the advent of this new law.
26. SIM. Gun and slash sign with generic verbage.
27. SIM. Gun and slash sign with generic verbage.
27a. SIM. Two signs at the front door.
28. FBS. I was advised only "it was posted." Have since been advised it says at the bottom,
"This applies to permit holders only." I guess criminals with guns are welcome.
29. FBS. I was advised there is a sign reading "No firearms on the property."
30. FBS. I was advised there is a ghostbuster sign with "No Weapons" on the lower part of the door.
I have since been advised by someone else that it did appear to meet the criteria, so I
changed the status to "probably."
31. FBS. I was advised there is a ghostbuster sign that is not very noticeable.
32. FBS. I was advised there is a ghostbuster sign with no verbage of any kind.
33. SIM. Ghostbuster sign and "BWW prohibits weapons" verbage.
34. SIM. Generic "no weapons" verbage.
35. FBS. Unknown info, just advised "it's posted."
36. FBS. Unknown info, just advised "it's posted."
37. FBS. A group of local shooters used to eat at Huey's, but we quit going a few months ago
after receiving extremely poor service, then being charged a mandatory gratuity PLUS
an additional service fee. Regardless, I have been informed that Huey's is now posted.
38. SIM. The location on Germantown Parkway is posted with a sign so large, you can see it while
driving down the parkway.
39. FBS. I was advised it was posted and that the sign appeared to be correct.
40. FBS. I was advised it was posted with a "Ghostbuster type" sign.
41. FBS. I was advised it was posted with a "Ghostbuster type" sign and verbage "No firearms on premises."
42. FBS. I was advised that you are required to lift your jacket or open a purse or bag before entering.
43. SIM. It's pretty clear they don't like guns. Chow Time
NOTEWORTHY LOCATIONS AND NON-POSTED RESTAURANTS
1. Wolfchase Chrysler and Wolfchase Jeep, Stage & Germantown: I was told that it was once posted, but now it is not.
2. Wolfchase Mall: I've been told that the signs have been removed, but security will still hassle
you if you are wearing a vest or other gun garb, however, I have not personally had any problems.
Several years ago, I was with a group of shooting instructors and we stopped at the mall to eat,
and stayed there several hours with no problems, even though all of us were wearing photo vests.
3. The Shelby County Building, 150 Washington: Was not posted but had a metal dector, however
they would allow you to check your gun at the guard desk. As of 8/16/06 there is no longer
a metal detector (and no sign). No info on available the official policy since I didn't ask.
4. Methodist Hospital, Germantown: Does not seem to have signs posted. As of March, 2008, I
did not see any signs at or near the emergency room entrance.
5. Curious Gourmet Cafe and Cupcakery, 100 Main St Nashville: Owned and operated by a TGO
member, very gun friendly.
6. Most independent Mexican restaurants do not appear to be posted. Yet another reason I knew I
liked Mexican food.
7. As of 9-10-09, I have been informed that Huey's at 2130 W. Poplar Avenue in Collierville is NOT posted.
8. As of 9-14-09, Carrabba's Italian Grill at 5110 Poplar Avenue did not appear to be posted in any way.
9. I was advised that T.J. Mulligan's at 362 N. Main Street (pinch district) has removed the signs as of 5-27-10.
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