real-life concealed-permit experiences in TN?

[yhtomit]

Hi there!

From http://opencarry.org/, I see that Tennessee has an interesting approach when it comes to open carry, namely that the carry permit there "allows both open and concealed carry." (And that open carry is otherwise not allowed.)

Before I finally get back to Seattle, I'll be living in TN for about 4 months. Can anyone give me some insight as to the realities of obtaining a concealed carry permit there, including wait, hassle, cost? I suspect it won't be worth my time to get a TN permit; depending on residency requirements it might be simply ruled out anyhow.

However, now I'm curious

So, for anyone with a Tennessee concealed permit, what was your experience like? Tell me what part of the state you're in, too, if you could -- if it's anything like PA, the experience is like that of the blind men touching an elephant: In Philadelphia, apparently, the blind man gets either the tusk or the patty.

timothy

 

[sgphoto]

Timothy,

Take a concealed carry class also called a Handgun Carry Permit Class (cost 50-100 dollars). Then go the the Driver's License station, fill out forms, and pay $135.00 (this was 2 years ago). Then you'll go somewhere for fingerprinting.

You should receive your license in 4-8 weeks.

I'm in SE Tennessee, Chattanooga area, and took my HCP class at Fugate Firearm's in Calhoun, TN., for $50.00. Good people, inside handgun range, probably 10 people at most in the class.

Written test after the classroom work. No problem at all as the answers are primarily common sense, particularly if you've been shooting awhile.

It's not difficult to pass the shooting test. Fifty rounds,

Really no hassles at all, unless you count the looooooong wait at the DL where the bureaucrats take their time in serving the public.

Steve

 

[tn-dave]

A friend of mine just got his permit and his wait was just over 8 weeks. My Dad is at about 5 weeks now and hasn't got his permit in the mail yet.

Dad actually had a little trouble finding a class here in East TN that wasn't full. That's good though..The more permit holders here the better.

I went to the huge DOT in East Knoxville and didn't have to wait at all. They had separate stations for DLs and I went right in and out.

The only thing I can think of that sgphoto didn't mention is the permit is good for four years and you can renew by mail ($50? to renew).

 

[woad_yurt]

What sgphoto said but mine took almost 90 days to happen. I called them to see what was going on and the person said "let me check." She came back and said "Oh here you are. I'll issue this now. It'll be at your house in 7-10 days." I got it 3 days later. Everyone else I asked got theirs much more quickly, about 6 weeks or so.

 

[misANTHrope]

It could take up to 90 days for your permit to arrive... which is 75% of your total stay here. Personally, I'm not sure it would be worth the effort for you, depending on how much value you place on ~$200 for the class and permit fee, plus eight hours spent in class and who knows how many at the DL station.

I'm a hair past the three-week mark since I submitted my app. Word over at TGO is the current average time is about eight weeks.

 

[yhtomit]

Good information from all of you, thanks.

There's one question which might tip the balance for me on this; is the permit good (within TN, that is) after the holder is no longer a TN resident? If I had actually gotten a permit the last time I *did* live in TN, it would have expired by now anyhow, but I'm typically there for at least short periods (sometimes a few weeks, or even several weeks) each year, visiting family. (And one of my favorite bookstores ever, McKay's, in Knoxville.)

If continuous residency is necessary, then I think I'll forgo it, for the reason misanthrope names. However, I will enjoy spending some time in TN all the same

timothy

 

[misANTHrope]

I have no idea whether the permit would remain valid after you vacated the state... my gut feeling is no, since to my knowledge TN doesn't have allowance for non-resident permits, but that's nothing but pure supposition.

Check http://www.state.tn.us/safety/handgunmain.htm for TN permit info. There's a phone number in there where you can reach the office... but I called them WRT to my permit and was given incorrect information, and only found out the truth when I emailed the commissioner's office. So be wary of answers you get...

 

[Harvster]

IIRC TN honors lots of other permits. And you have 6 months after establishing residency in TN to get the TN permit. Until then, or if your are just passing through, a permit from another state that they recognize is valid.


http://www.state.tn.us/safety/handgun/reciprocity.htm

TENNESSEE'S RECOGNITION OF OUT-OF-STATE
HANDGUN CARRY PERMITS AND
RECIPROCITY INFORMATION

1.
Tennessee now recognizes a facially valid handgun permit, firearms permit, weapons permit, or a license issued by another state according to its terms, and will, therefore, authorize the holder of such out-of-state permit or license to carry a handgun only in the state of Tennessee.
2.
The person must be in possession of the permit or license at all times such person carries a handgun in Tennessee.
3.
Tennessee will enter into written reciprocity agreements with other states that require the execution of such agreements.
4.
If a person with a handgun permit from another state decides to become a resident of Tennessee, such person must obtain a Tennessee handgun permit within six (6) months of establishing residency in Tennessee. Such person will be processed as a renewal applicant if the eligibility requirements of the other state are substantially similar to the eligibility requirements of Tennessee. View application requirements by state for persons holding a Handgun Carry Permit from another state and applying for a Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit.
5.
A person who is employed in this state for at least thirty (30) hours a week for six (6) consecutive months is required to obtain a Tennessee handgun carry permit within six (6) months from the last day of the sixth month of regular employment in Tennessee. A Tennessee handgun carry permit will be issued in this situation only if the other state has eligibility requirements that are substantially similar to the eligibility requirements of Tennessee. If the eligibility requirements from the other state are substantially similar to the eligibility requirements of Tennessee, Tennessee may issue a Tennessee permit to the person employed in this state under the renewal provisions of Tennessee law.
6.
The above number 5 will not apply if the state of residence of the person employed in Tennessee has entered into a reciprocity agreement with Tennessee.

 

[Mr White]

I'm from PA and vacationed in TN a few years ago. I checked about that when planning our trip and a PA CCP is valid in TN. At least it was in summer of '06

 

[Mousegun]

The permit in Tn. is a carry permit. Depending on where you are located sort of governs how much of a problem you will have if you choose to open carry.

In east Tn. where I am, there are a lot of northern transplants (like myself) and it is not generally a good idea to open carry even though it is legal. The cry, "man with a gun" has a much better chance of ringing out. As you go west past Nashville, open carry is a bit more accepted until you get to Naifeh land (our beloved Speaker of the House that kills all new and positive carry legislation) near Memphis where open carry could become a problem once again.

There are places like the Kingston Police Department that gives the handgun permit class for free or they did when I got mine. I don't honestly know if that service still exists.

 

[Im283]

Do you have a permit from your home state? I don't know exactly where that might be as you mention Seattle and your profile says Penn, but I am pretty sure that TN accepts other states carry permits. So if'n you have one you don't need another.
Might be wrong on all states thing so check it for yourself.

 

[Ala Dan]

Question For Tennessee Residents

Does the State Of Tennessee issue concealed carry license to residents
of other states; namely Alabama~? I know that we Alabamaians have
recipitory with the great State Of Tennessee; but what about actual
documentation (license) being issued~? Thanks in advance for all of
the information.

 

[yhtomit]

Im283: Heh, I'm a geographical oddity, 2 weeks from anywhere! I'm in PA right now, moving to TN in a matter of weeks, moving back to Seattle (where I was before PA) at the tail end of August.

Favorite city: Seattle
Law school: Philly
Much family: E. Tennessee

And Yes, I do have a PA permit which will be facially valid through the summer -- I need to make sure that (in that I'll no longer be a PA resident), it's still good in TN for that stretch of time, though. That's sounding like the likely scenario.

Thanks for all the excellent replies from the THR Relocation Service Glad there are so many informed members in the states I'll be in.

timothy

 

[hso]

Re: concealed carry permit in TN. TN has a Handgun Carry Permit instead. That was one of the incremental improvements in the carry law so that you're not in violation if you take your jacket off.

As long as the last place of residence is a state where you have a permit then TN recognizes that permit. You have to comply with the state carry laws of TN even with your PA permit.

Let me know when you get down here and we'll load up and head to the range.

 

[SomeKid]

Couple of things:

Just use your PA license. We recognize everyones permit.

Open Carry: Knock yourself out. I am in the Chattanooga area, I do it all the time. Not been hassled once. Just know where the off-limit zones are.

Alabama: We do offer out of state permits, but it is very restrictive to get. You are better off just using your Alabama CHL, unless you want the reciprocity which a TN license has. (Resident TN gets 35 states, non res loses a few, but it is still a pretty good license.)

Correction: Non reisdent TN HCP is only good in 28 states, resident is good for 35, assuming this website is accurate.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/maps/tennessee_map.gif

When I compared Alabama vs TN non res, you pick up quite a bit of more states to carry in, assuming the website is accurate. Maybe it will be worth looking into, if you travel a lot.