TN Handgun Carry Permit Schools and Instructors

Originally Posted by Arko

Check out Gunny's in Maryville. They have Saturday and occasional evening classes. My wife is taking the evening CCW next week. She has already taken a "Women and guns" class there and liked it alot.

Ehhh, I really don't mean to derail the topic, I'm sorry. However, I took their (Gunny's) HCP class, and I must say, it wasn't that great. The instructor was not up to date on all the laws and technicalities (to the point that he was teaching flat out incorrect info), and his firearm nomenclature wasn't exactly the best. He would dance around questions he didn't know and usually asked if someone else in the class knew the answer rather than answering it himself or directing them to someone who could answer it.

Interesting. Wonder who the HCP instructor you had was. My wife thought Gunny was great for her other class.

Originally Posted by Arko

Interesting. Wonder who the HCP instructor you had was. My wife thought Gunny was great for her other class.

I think his name might have been John.

School Name: SafetySouth, Training Systems LLC.
Location: Smyrna (Middle TN. area)
Primary Instructor: Bo Alexander
HCP Class Cost: $75.00 (discounts available to families/groups as well!)
Website: http://www.safetysouth.net/courses.htm
Phone number: (615) 566-9897
Your Personal Experience: I can only say good things about this class.

Class size varies every time.
But, I was lucky enough to get in on a smaller group. And personally, I would prefer this for multiple reasons. One being that I am not a very experienced shooter.
I went into this class scared and very nervous. Bo put all of my worries to rest real quick.
So before you attend a class and just think all I have to do is attend 8 hours and hit the silhouette. Why not attend a class that will actually help you with any setbacks you may have?

On the first day, you will be in the classroom, you will learn all of the legal/safety procedures that are necessary to pass your written test as well as what's expected of you on the range. He makes learning fun and goes into depth on safety and proper gun handling techniques. Just when you think you have a question that has not come up, he is already ahead of you. Bo thoroughly explains everything you would have questions about and kindly answers all of them!

On the second day, you will be on the range.
You will not just show up with 50 rounds and be expected to shoot and qualify like many HCP classes.
You will be given practice trials with various drills, Bo makes sure you understand how to properly shoot your gun, and if you are having any difficulty he will do all that he can to educate you on how to use your weapon correctly. He isn't like many instructors who just want your money and give you a paper to sign to be on your merry way. (though you can do that if that's your thing)
Many classes are shorter hours, but you are expected to know everything already. And usually don't give you the personal attention you need. SafetySouth does. They really care about their students.You get the right length of training to cover everything necessary. And you get more bang for your buck!

Bo is experienced, and always sets a good example using proper safety procedures.He took the time to show me the right techniques and gave me the personal attention I needed to overcome my challenges with a snubnose revolver.
I highly recommend them, if you want to be thoroughly educated and have the proper training you need for your carry permit, I highly recommend this class, opposed to just getting a card and not being able to skillfully use your weapon if the situation ever arises, you will be held responsible for every bullet that you cause to be fired whether it hits your assailant,property or an innocent bystander.

It is also more affordable than most HCP Classes, We saved about $100 between my husband and I, though it's well worth the money and more!


SafetySouth also offers other various classes, and I will definitely be a returning student!
http://www.safetysouth.net

School Name: Small Arms Training
Location: Junior's Restaurant Rockwood,TN
Primary Instructor: Gene Sutton and Chris King
HCP Class Cost: $65
Phone number: Chris King 865-354-1056
Your Personal Experience: This is a great group of guys, that make you feel comfortable. They hold there class in the back room of Juniors Restaurant and shoot at the Rockwood PD range, which isn't anything more than a gravel parking area with 12 piece's of plywood nailed to some post. It's nothing fancy by any means, but it gets the job done! Notice the price was $55, starting in Jan. he is going up to $65 to cover the rise in his insurance cost, still one of the best deals out there.

Excellent training, decent facility, they also have a women's only class taught by female instructors.

Rangemaster
2611 S. Mendenhall Road
Memphis, Tennessee 38115
(901) 370-5600 - Fax (901) 370-5699

Basic Personal Protection Course

The Basic Personal Protection Course may be the most useful and exciting class you’ll ever take. This introductory course provides hands-on training to ensure that our students become competent, law-abiding handgun-owners. The class is especially suited for men and women who are new shooters, but can be very informative to veteran shooters as well. Instruction includes:

• 
  
• Informed handgun selection
• Basic handgun usage
• Firearm concealment
• Proper maintenance
• Safe storage
• Legal responsibilities
• Awareness tools
• Protective tactics

Upon completion of this course you’ll receive the Certificate of Handgun Training required by the Tennessee Department of Safety as part of your application for your handgun carry permit.

Includes certificate, workbook, ammunition, range session, testing, safety glasses, hearing protection, and use of one of our firearms, if necessary.

Course Fee: $99. Eight hours of training - conducted over two four-hour sessions on consecutive days and once a month in a single block.

School Name: Chilhowee Rod & Gun Club
Location: Chilhowee Rod & Gun Club, Athens TN
Primary Instructor: TBD
HCP Class Cost: $60
Website: http://www.chilhoweerodandgunclub.com/
Phone number: Bill Aly 423-263-2806
Your Personal Experience: None -- I'm a member of the club. It's a private club about 5 miles south of Athens, with a clubhouse/classroom and pistol/rifle/skeet/archery ranges.

Originally Posted by truthsayer

I'd recommend it to anyone. I had a blast during the course. As a bonus, they'll do your fingerprinting there.

+1 - RangeUSA FTW.

Kristen taught my son in a youth class before Christmas and my wife is taking the "Women Only" class on the 10th of January with Kristen. Clean, Christian atmosphere without the attitude of other local Memphis shops. I heard they were doing more classes than anyone else in Tennessee at one point. +1 to getting the fingerprinting done there too!

Does any Instruction location in middle TN do the fingerprinting also?