Tennessee Carry

[deolexrex]

Does anyone know if this is still the AG's opinion of handgun carry in Tennessee?

http://www.attorneygeneral.state.tn.us/op/2005/OP/OP154.pdf

[deolexrex]

Oh, and a related question...

Does anyone know where I can find a list of certified Handgun Safety Courses?

I will be living in the Centerville area.

[Pistol Toter]

If the Tennessee resident has a weapons permit, it is lawful to carry said weapon openly. However, expect to be harrased by a LEO for you will surely be call about. There are just simply too many who are horrified by the sight of a big bad gun. So the prudent thing to do is NOT to carry openly. I have been made by LEO's and never even been approached. I was in a rear end collision a month ago (I got hit) when the city officer got there I handed him my driver lic and my permit. He handed me back my permit and nicely said "I don't need that", shook my hand and said thanks. Let me add I'm and older fellow. It is better to stay concealed.

[22-rimfire]

Note the permit only applies to handguns and not long guns or knives. Many of the gunshops and ranges will have classes for the handgun permit. The classes run about $75. Then you go to the drivers license place and fill out the application. Take cash and birth certificate. They will direct you to go to the county location for fingerprinting. Once that is done, you wait for your permit to arrive in the mail, about 60 days as I recall. I believe I spent about $150 total to get the permit excluding ammunition.

I believe the pdf pretty much covers it. You won't have any problem finding a place to take the class. Just ask at a gun shop and they will direct you.

[copaup]

As TN LE I can tell you open carry is legal. Its also a bad idea. It draws attention to you, will probably result in a phone call to the police who tend to get a bit uptight about armed party calls, and will at the very least inconvienience you for the amount of time it takes for them to verify your permit. Also, if you are in line at the local stop and rob when the robbery crew hits the door with a visible pistol on your hip, guess who's getting shot in the back? Conceal that cannon, you're carrying a weapon to protect you and your's, not to impress the locals.

[boalex207]

Open carry with a Permit is legal in Tennessee, and I strongly discourage it.

I am a Carry Permit Instructor (Handgun Safety Course) - PM me and if I can't help you I'll give you some recommendations.

There's a wide variety of instructional quality here and I'd hate to see you take the course from Billy Joe Earl Bob who runs the gas station and qualify behind his barn.:barf:

[kmrcstintn]

my experience/info is a few years old (2002/2003), but here we go...

1) certified safety course, $80, good for 6 months. keep certificate

2) background check application thru DMV, $110, no refund, go or no go

2a) I took course, didn't apply for permit; relocated back to PA before completing process

3) TN's process is a bit turmoilous, but yields lots of reciprocacy in the southeastern US states

4) only seen open carry 2 times while living in TN from 1997 - 2003; lots of sideways eyeball glances & turned heads...including mine

5) opt for concealed carry (keeps spooked public involvement to a minimum)

6) whenever communicating with an LEO for 'official police business' do them the courtesy of showing them your permit & voluntarily inform them if your firearm/knife is on you or in your vehicle

[Byron]

Deolexrex, I believe Centerville is not far from Murfreesboro. On Target Indoor Range conducts some excellent courses for the concealed carry permit;not only from a safety aspect but from the legalities of when you can or cannot shoot. The instructors are very qualified. Byron

[chipperi]

Just about ditto to everything. 50 to 75 bucks for the course, bout 30 bucks for ammo (45acp for me), 115 application fee, fingerprinting included in the app fee , about 200 when all is said and done. Open carry is legal but not advised more trouble than what it's worth. The wording of the law doesn't specifically allow open carry nor prohibit it. I believe this was done to keep overzealous cops from locking you up every time you accidentally print when you reach for something on the top shelf at Wal-Mart. Especially more liberal cities like Nashville, Memphis. Knoxville just had an instance of cop not knowing the law roughed up one of the members here for carrying and he owns a gun shop.