Guns and THE LAW

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c919

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where else? TN.
i have recently been rekindling my love for firearms. i recently moved back to tennessee from a less "firearm friendly" state, and i have been rebuilding my gun collection and shooting alot more lately.

my wife and i have 6 month old baby so home protection and self defense have become larger priorities than ever before. i am planning on getting my CC license and and in researching this i have heard alot of mentions of laws that i was not familiar with (castle doctrine, shall issue vs. may issue, etc...), and when researching them i realized that many of these were not things any firearms owner would want to be in the dark about.

i was hoping that i could get some tips on laws and such that i should research. you dont have to explain them if you dont wanna (i do have google, haha). also if there is a good website that i could find these on id love the address.
 
I'm not familiar with tennessee laws, but searching wikipedia on any of those terms mentioned will at least give you an idea of what the laws are about. Handgunlaw.us should explain most of the laws for your state.

Also, nothing beats taking a class in your state that focuses on CC/personal defense. Any instructor worth their salt should explain what the relevant laws are in your state.
 
Also, nothing beats taking a class in your state that focuses on CC/personal defense. Any instructor worth their salt should explain what the relevant laws are in your state.
Click to expand...

YES to that, and to continuing your research. Internet research is good, although you have to be vigilant against BS advice, and use judgment about what you read on the internet.

I'm originally from TN myself and live in FL now. For Floridians there is an excellent book available titled "Florida Firearms Law", written by Florida lawyer and NRA Instructor Jon Gutmacher. If you can't find an equivalent book for Tennessee, I would at least suggest buying the Florida book (www.floridafirearmslaw.com).

This book (or hopefully the Tennessee equivalent if you can locate one) is used by a number of police academies to teach firearms law to police cadets. Most helpfully, it contains plain-language explanations and interpretations of the law. The laws everywhere SAY whatever, but what they actually MEAN can be totally different than what you or I might think that means. This particular book will at least explain Castle Doctrine, no retreat, and many common pitfalls that some CCWers can encounter even if they do live in shall-issue states like TN and FL.
 
I would rely on the internet (multiple sites) to research the law. Gun laws change so often that if you are relying on a book MAKE SURE IT IS CURRENT.

Most states will have GOVERNMENT sites that breakdown handgun laws. NC's attorney general lays everything out there for you in about 15mins of reading.

I am an attorney and I can tell you that MUCH misinformation floats out there, but also many sites do a good job summarizing it for people looking to learn.

The other factor is LAWS have ambiguous term such as "public gatherings" and the like so just keep asking and reading and you will receive help. I can tell you that gun owners are the MOST helpful people I have encountered.
 
I found this on the TN site...

Requirements for Obtaining a Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit

Applicant shall submit proof of the successful completion of a department approved Handgun Safety Course within the past six (6) months. Call (615) 251-8590 to find out more information on handgun schools, locations and contact information.

If you have the option to shop around, try to find a class where they bring a criminal lawyer in.

Good luck... I am waiting for one more of the 6 BG checks to come back in my state to get my CCW!

Congrats on the baby too.

Leroy
 
Tennessee Gun Laws

c919 - You can find much information at the following Tennessee specific site - http://www.tngunowners.com/
Also, Tennessee's handgun carry permit is not a "concealed carry permit". It allows open carry subject to certain minimal restrictions on places. Our current state legislators are rapidly changing and adding laws to improve and strengthen our handgun carry rights. Welcome to God's country.
 
c919, I do not know which area in TN you live in, but I live in Crossville, but was raised in the Oneida area. In Oneida, there is a man named David Terry who gives handgun classses very reasonably, when I took mine last year it cost $85.00. His company is called Triggers and the number is 423-569-6777.

The classes are in Oneida which is on north US 27. You get 4 hours of classroom instruction then range time consisting your safety and shooting test. David will be able to answer any of your question, he is a retired sherrif's department detective.
 
Hope this helps

TN is a 'shall issue' state meaning the burden of proof is on the state (TN.Dept.of Safety AKA the Highway Patrol) to show why you should not have the permit:why they should not issue. We have CARRY permits;not CARRY CONCEALED permits as there is no legal definition of "concealed" thus open carry with a permit is legal if not IMAO advisable (not starting an open vs concealed war here,ok?).There is no registration of firearms here other than the Federal forms.Most police depts.& officers & D.A.'s are gun-friendly.At this time you may not carry into a courthouse,park or place that serves alcohol for on-site consumption:the latter two are being debated in the legislature.There are plenty of schools & classes for your permit depending on your area:ask around.
Here in Middle TN (Nashville,Murfreesboro,etc) I'd recommend CIS (go to tngunowners.com & look 'em up) or OnTarget (an indoor range in Murfreesboro).
PM inbound.
 
P.S.

As I understand it (& I'm no lawyer) the castle doctrine removes any legal requirement that you retreat or attempt to escape from an attack before defending yourself;particularly in your home.That you may legally assume an intruder into your home is threatening you with lethal force & may therefore use lethal force to defend yourself. This does NOT mean you can shoot the guy running off with your TV set as he is retreating & not a threat.
Take the course & see a lawyer!
 
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