Concerning The New TN Permit-less Carry

Tennessee has become the nineteenth state to adopt what is commonly called permit-less or constitutional carry. Beginning July 1, 2021 (but not before), anyone who would qualify under the current handgun law to obtain an Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit in Tennessee will be able to legally carry a handgun without a permit—both open and concealed carry where now legal to carry.

This new law follows recent, seemingly preparatory changes to Tennessee law that allowed individuals to carry a gun in a vehicle without a permit and created a new permit to carry “concealed only” that can be acquired via an online course (requiring no actual handgun shooting experience).

While giving law-abiding citizens the ability to carry a handgun without the permit process, eliminating both the cost and associated basic firearms training, the law also imposes stiffer penalties for the non-law-abiding who steal a gun or possess it unlawfully.

Permit-less carry does not allow the person the reciprocal privileges of carrying in other states as presently enjoyed by those with the Enhanced Carry Permit. So, if a person intends to carry outside of Tennessee (in accordance with the laws of other states who allow it), the existing permit process will still be the way to go.

The Enhanced Carry Permit option will still be there after July 1 for those who prefer to have a permit. It will still require passing the Tennessee Handgun Safety Course, fingerprints, etc. I assume the new Concealed Carry Permit course will also continue, although, I fail to see a reason for it since it restricts carry to concealed only and the permit-less carry does not.

The understandable controversy around the new law comes from both “sides” of the gun issue. It is no surprise that those opposed to guns in general are against it. But some who support gun rights have concerns as well. Many in law enforcement–being focused on law breakers as they are—reportedly worry about an increase in guns on the street in the wrong (illegal) hands. From a different perspective, some permit holders are concerned that businesses which currently allow people to carry in their establishments (knowing that legal carriers have had at least basic training through the permit process) will now balk at having non-trained gun carriers come in, and will decide to put up the NO GUNS sign in their windows, effectively restricting permit holders’ rights as well.

The term “constitutional carry” obviously refers to our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. Some Tennessee lawmakers were not pleased that the new law did not include long guns as well as handguns. That’s right. You will not be allowed to carry around your AR-15 or shotgun “with the intent to go armed” under this new law. While the Second Amendment to the US Constitution does not mention self-defense specifically, the Tennessee Constitution does. This new law is weighted toward that right of common defense. We can hope that it will be applied with an equal weight of common sense. While carrying a handgun may not require a government-issued permit, training in how to safely use that handgun in self-defense should not be considered optional.

As a firearms instructor who has been teaching the carry permit class for years, I have seen well-intentioned, law-abiding students pass the class who really needed more training before actively carrying a gun (The shooting required for the course is very basic and not defensive-carry oriented). How many of those who obtain the permit subsequently carry a handgun? I’ve never seen any statistics, but my impression is the percentage is low, which is fine because at the very least they have acquired a working knowledge of handguns and the law. Will that change now that almost anyone 21 or older will be able to carry a gun? That remains to be seen. The fact that responsible people have an appropriate appreciation of the lethality of a firearm will, I believe, be an incentive for seeking some training and practice with a gun before carrying one. Though shooting a “deadly weapon” is a serious matter, shooting handguns in a safe environment can be quite enjoyable. And training can save your or someone else’s life.

Skills and knowledge you must have if you carry a gun for self-defense:

• Basic firearm safety rules to prevent injury to yourself or others.
• How to safely draw a gun from a holster and put the sights on target in minimal time.
• How to clear a malfunction quickly if the gun won’t fire.
• How to grip a revolver or semi-automatic to prevent injury to your hand when firing.
• Under what circumstances you can legally use a gun (deadly force) in your defense.

To Conceal or Not to Conceal– in Tennessee

The New Concealed Carry Law in Tennessee is here.

It’s a new year, and Tennessee has a new gun law. You may have read about the changes to the Tennessee Carry Permit laws effective January 1, 2020. Here is how it works:

First of all, current carry permit holders are asking, “How does the change affect me?“ The good news is that it doesn’t. The only change to the law for the existing carry permit process is a name change. To distinguish between the existing permit holders and the “new option” ( more on that later), the State added the word “Enhanced” to the name of the permit. So, if you have a Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit today, it is henceforth and forevermore (until they change it) to be called an Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit. That is the only change.

Why the need for the new nomenclature? That brings me to the new law. Read the rest of this entry »

A Holiday Handgun

Planning on getting or giving a handgun for Christmas? Here are two important points to consider to help avoid disappointment after you take your new gun out of the box.

1. Does it fit?  –  If the gun is for you, be sure to grip it before you buy it. Just because it looks awesome doesn’t mean it is the one for you. The size of your hands and the strength in your hands will determine if a gun will work for you. Your fingers have to be able to manipulate the controls—trigger, slide lock, magazine release (if it is a semi-automatic), and slide. How about the amount of perceived recoil. Can you handle the kick? Your eyes also come in to play. Are the front and rear sights clear to you when you aim? Hopefully, you will be pulling that trigger hundreds of times on the range. A poor fitting gun is no fun after a couple of dozen rounds downrange.

Of course, if you are buying a gun as a gift, I suggest you allow the happy recipient to accompany you to the gun shop—for all the reasons listed above (plus that way you avoid the appearance of a straw purchase, which is a big no no).

2. Does it fit?  –  No, I didn’t repeat myself. Well, I did, but this “fit” refers to purpose. Does the gun you plan to buy or give fit a purpose? Is the gun to be used for target practice? Is it to be a daily carry gun? Do you intend to mount it on the wall as art work? Okay, not likely the last one, but it is important to evaluate a gun based on its intended use. ‘Carry’ guns tend to be smaller in size and perhaps in caliber than a gun you might plan to stuff under your mattress for home protection (don’t stuff a gun under your mattress, by the way) or one you just want to plink tin cans with. Do they still make tin cans?

Read the rest of this entry »

Seven Tips For the Novice Gun Buyer

Everybody has a first time—when it comes to purchasing a handgun. You don’t have to be an expert, but it helps to know a little of the lingo when you walk in to the local gun shop, sporting goods store or pawn shop and begin to peruse the pistols. Here are seven things that will help you handle that conversation across the counter and make your search for the right gun a little easier.

Say what? – First of all, when you tell the salesperson that you want to buy a handgun, don’t be surprised if you get a question like, “What do you want to do with it?” or “How are you going to use it?” Relax. Your Second Amendment rights are not being challenged. It’s an important question. A better phrasing might be, “Do you want the gun for home defense, target practice, daily carry or what?” Why does that matter? Handguns come in a multitude of types, sizes and calibers. Generally speaking, the primary use of the gun dictates the recommended size, caliber and maybe even quality you should consider. For example, if the gun is staying in your house for home defense, you probably want a larger frame and perhaps caliber than you would want if you plan to carry it on your person all day long—although there is no hard, fast rule. For the purpose of this discussion, we will assume that target practice (competitive or otherwise) is not the main reason and will focus on factors common to the other two.

People that sell guns all day long, not unlike subject matter experts in other fields such as auto mechanics or computer technology, may tend to use detailed terminology second nature to them without trying (though some do try) to impress or confuse you. Some terms apply exclusively to semi-automatic pistols or to revolvers, most apply to either. Here are a few that may come in handy:

Read the rest of this entry »