National Carry AcademyWhat You Need to Know about Tennessee’s New Gun Legislation
February 11, 2020
On January first, those Tennesseans who wish to obtain a gun permit were provided with a second way of achieving that permit.
Up until 2020 Tennessee had only one permit. It has been renamed “enhanced” handgun permit. It allowed citizens with this permit to carry a firearm open or concealed.
The enhanced weapons permit costs a hundred dollars. It required in-class attendance for eight hours. There is a live-fire component as well as a written test. Both must be passed. Background checks are also mandatory.
Under the new legislation either the new permit or the renamed an “enhanced handgun permit” will be accepted to concealed carry in Tennessee. The state also recognizes concealed carry permits of all states under the Concealed Carry Reciprocity legislation
Here’s what you need to know about the new, Tennessee state concealed carry gun permit option:
- The new permit is named: a concealed only handgun permit.
- It allows permit holders to concealed carry a weapon. Open carry is not legal with the new permit.
Requirements for the new permit have also changed:
- Instead of an eight-hour, in-class course, the new permit can be obtained by taking an online course of about ninety minutes.
- There is no in-person instruction required.
- The concealed only handgun permit will cost about $35 less.
What are the Reactions to the Concealed only Handgun Permit?
The National Rifle Association are solidly in support of concealed only handgun permit. They see it as a way for more people to exercise their second amendment right.
Other groups see the new rules as too lax. The anti-gun groups see it as a dangerous precedent that will jeopardize public safety.
Gun storeowners have reported that their customers are confused and worried about this new legislation. They don’t know whether they should qualify for the new permit or obtain the enhanced permit.
Many responsible gun owners are concerned that the hands-on firing and gun safety component isn’t required. They see mandated instruction and shooting practice as crucial. Other gun owners have pointed out that responsible concealed carry weapons owners are going to put in the time regularly on the shooting range.
A discussion among seasoned concealed carry permit holders indicated that they do not expect many will opt for the new permit. They anticipate that, once differences between the new permit and the enhanced permit are examined they will see that the cost saving is minimal. They will also see the benefits of the enhanced handgun permit. You can both concealed and open carry. Hands-on instruction is important and learning both gun safety and handling of your weapon are vital. Most gun owners will see the eight-hour one-time investment as worthwhile. It remains to be seen whether their prediction is accurate.
How Will Training be Provided for the New Permit?
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security has accepted applications from potential providers of an online concealed-carry course. Course providers must show proof of handgun instructor certification.
For more information on online training for the new Tennessee concealed carry permit, click on: http://www.nationalcarryacademy.com.
Some gun store owners said the change might confuse customers.
“In the past, we would say, ‘Tennessee does not have a concealed carry permit. It’s a handgun permit permitting you to carry open or concealed–your choice.’ Now we’re going to have to say, ‘OK, are you really wanting the concealed carry permit or the enhanced handgun carry permit? And we’re going to have to explain the differences between the two,” said Steve Smith, the manager of S.E.T Guns and Range in Oak Ridge.
At his store, instructors have decided not to offer the abbreviated concealed-only permit course, in part because it does not contain a practical training portion.
“We feel training and practice is the best thing you can do if you’re going to go armed in public,” Smith said.
RELATED: New type of handgun permit starts Jan. 1 for TN
What You Need to Know about Tennessee’s New Gun Legislation
February 11, 2020
On January first, those Tennesseans who wish to obtain a gun permit were provided with a second way of achieving that permit.
Up until 2020 Tennessee had only one permit. It has been renamed “enhanced” handgun permit. It allowed citizens with this permit to carry a firearm open or concealed.
The enhanced weapons permit costs a hundred dollars. It required in-class attendance for eight hours. There is a live-fire component as well as a written test. Both must be passed. Background checks are also mandatory.
Under the new legislation either the new permit or the renamed an “enhanced handgun permit” will be accepted to concealed carry in Tennessee. The state also recognizes concealed carry permits of all states under the Concealed Carry Reciprocity legislation
Here’s what you need to know about the new, Tennessee state concealed carry gun permit option:
- The new permit is named: a concealed only handgun permit.
- It allows permit holders to concealed carry a weapon. Open carry is not legal with the new permit.
Requirements for the new permit have also changed:
- Instead of an eight-hour, in-class course, the new permit can be obtained by taking an online course of about ninety minutes.
- There is no in-person instruction required.
- The concealed only handgun permit will cost about $35 less.
What are the Reactions to the Concealed only Handgun Permit?
The National Rifle Association are solidly in support of concealed only handgun permit. They see it as a way for more people to exercise their second amendment right.
Other groups see the new rules as too lax. The anti-gun groups see it as a dangerous precedent that will jeopardize public safety.
Gun storeowners have reported that their customers are confused and worried about this new legislation. They don’t know whether they should qualify for the new permit or obtain the enhanced permit.
Many responsible gun owners are concerned that the hands-on firing and gun safety component isn’t required. They see mandated instruction and shooting practice as crucial. Other gun owners have pointed out that responsible concealed carry weapons owners are going to put in the time regularly on the shooting range.
A discussion among seasoned concealed carry permit holders indicated that they do not expect many will opt for the new permit. They anticipate that, once differences between the new permit and the enhanced permit are examined they will see that the cost saving is minimal. They will also see the benefits of the enhanced handgun permit. You can both concealed and open carry. Hands-on instruction is important and learning both gun safety and handling of your weapon are vital. Most gun owners will see the eight-hour one-time investment as worthwhile. It remains to be seen whether their prediction is accurate.
How Will Training be Provided for the New Permit?
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security has accepted applications from potential providers of an online concealed-carry course. Course providers must show proof of handgun instructor certification.
For more information on online training for the new Tennessee concealed carry permit, click on: http://www.nationalcarryacademy.com.
Some gun store owners said the change might confuse customers.
“In the past, we would say, ‘Tennessee does not have a concealed carry permit. It’s a handgun permit permitting you to carry open or concealed–your choice.’ Now we’re going to have to say, ‘OK, are you really wanting the concealed carry permit or the enhanced handgun carry permit? And we’re going to have to explain the differences between the two,” said Steve Smith, the manager of S.E.T Guns and Range in Oak Ridge.
At his store, instructors have decided not to offer the abbreviated concealed-only permit course, in part because it does not contain a practical training portion.
“We feel training and practice is the best thing you can do if you’re going to go armed in public,” Smith said.
RELATED: New type of handgun permit starts Jan. 1 for TN