Tri-Cities Bob

The total fee for non-veterans is $100 for an 8-year permit. This includes the background check and fingerprinting. For veterans (no marksmanship certification required, just honorable service on their DD-214 or a current ID card) is for the "background check only" at $68. Veterans get the a break on the rest of the usual $100 fee for their initial 8-year permit. If veterans want to forego the firing test for the class, they must produce proof of acceptable training while in the military. The Handgun Unit's website addresses this, but they haven't told the schools what to look for to mark "pass" on the firing phase, so as of today (11/27/2017) veterans will still have to complete both the written test and firing test in order to get a pass/pass for the class. In a recent class one veteran said, "The firing test is the best part of the class. Why would I want to forego it?".

For TN Handgun Safety Class in the Johnson City area take a look at unakarodandgun.com website and click on "Classes" option on the top of the home page. Classes are held the 2nd Saturday of every month except January and February and cost $50.

Okay, so it looks like the only change to current DOS policy is that the active duty member or veteran now only has to provide documentation that a 4 hour training event was completed during their time in the service and the requirement that it must have been conducted within the past five years will be eliminated on July 1st. As usual, the local new media didn't get it quite right. THANKS Dave TN!

This, if it's accurate, would appear to be a change in the current policy which requires a veteran to provide proof of the required minimum of four hours of training within the past five years. Your DD-214 does not address training completed and the DOS website cites several DD forms which may be used to document the required training -- but this policy has been in effect for at least a year. This "new" policy (if the TV news info is correct) appears to eliminate the training requirement all together for all veterans and active duty personnel. Again, I can't find any official recognition of this change.

Yesterday (6/27/2016) our local TV news was going through some changes in State laws which supposedly take effect on July 1, 2016. After the wine in grocery stores change, they casually mentioned that, effective on July 1st, active duty military, retirees and veterans would be exempt from the requirement to complete the required training class before being granted a Tennessee HCP. I can't find any reference to that change on State's DOS website or anywhere else. Anybody heard anything about this?

The video you should see during your required training class was produced by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, and does a pretty good job of describing the State's rules concerning when and where you cannot carry.  It does not address the Federal regulations.  Under Federal rules, NO WEAPONS OF ANY KIND (with or without permit) can be carried into any Federal "facility".  A Federal facility is defined as any building or office owned by, rented or leased by the Federal Government.  Essentially, if there are Federal workers in the building or office, no weapons are allowed -- period.  The Post Office and Veteran's Affairs folks have extended that restriction to the parking lots or campuses around their buildings (and the VA also includes National Cemeteries), so you cannot legally leave your gun in your car while you transact business inside the building or office.  The Post Office parking lot ban was just upheld in a U. S. Appeals Court decision in June of 2015.  If the terminal of an airport is not posted, you may carry your handgun inside, but not within the security area -- AND DON'T PACK ONE IN YOU CARRY-ON LUGGAGE OR TRY TO CARRY IT CONCEALED ONTO THE AIRCRAFT.  Guns can be transported in commercial aircraft, but only in checked luggage, and then usually in a locked case within your luggage.  Check with you airline to get their specific requirements before going to the airport for your flight.  National Parks will allow handgun carry as provided by the state in which they are located, so if you have a TN HCP (or one from another state which has reciprocity with TN -- which is any state which issues a permit) you can carry in a National Park in Tennessee.  The only exception is any office or station within the park which is normally occupied by a Park Ranger or other Federal employee.  That is treated as a Federal Facility and weapons are banned.  Leave your handgun out-of-sight and locked in your car. I agree that under Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) there is no legal requirement to tell a law enforcement officer during a traffic stop that you have an HCP or that you are armed, but back to the video (produced by the Tennessee Highway Patrol) they show a traffic stop in which the driver gives the officer his or her HCP along with their driver's license.  Personally, I think that's a good idea.  The officer will undoubtedly know that you have an HCP when he or she runs you driver's license since both are issued by the DOS and your HCP number is the same as your driver's license number.  He or she will then wonder why you were not forthcoming about your permit and approach the remainder of the traffic stop with extra caution, which is generally not good for you.  If I were an officer making a traffic stop, I would not like any surprises.

First, the recommendation to contact Lisa Knight at the DOS in Nashville is sound. Second, I don't believe the fact that, since you are active duty military, as a legal resident of Florida you would be denied a Tennessee HCP.  The only problem I see is that if you try to submit your application online the system may kick the application out as it will not recognize your FL driver's license number.  I'd go ahead and try and see what the website does.  If it does reject your application, you should be able to complete the required training class, get your certificate and submit a paper application at the driver's license office.  The agents at the office should be able to override the system's rejection and begin processing your application.  Any State certified school can provide a manually processed training certificate. Again, call the folks at the Nashville Handgun Office first and see what they say. I have never come across this particular issue before, but I am retired Navy and a TN Handgun Instructor, so I have some experience with similar issues.

The Department of Safety changed their firing requirements in April 2013.  All schools are now required to have students shoot a minimum of 50 rounds at a B-29 (small) silhouette target at ranges of 3 yards (20 shots), 5 yards (20 shots) and 7 yards (10 shots).  These are generally fired in 5-shot groups, but that is left up to the chief instructor.  Scoring is two points for any shot inside or touching the outside ("7") scoring ring and one point for shots outside the scoring rings but still inside the silhouette.  Zero is awarded for anything outside the silhouette.  A minimum score of 70 is required to pass.  If the student has submitted his or her application online before entering the class, written and shooting test results are reported online on a pass/fail basis; otherwise test scores are faxed or mailed to Nashville.   In our class we can handle up to12 students on the firing line in each relay.  We have four or five instructors participating in each class, so each instructor only has two or three students to monitor during the firing phase.  If someone seems to be having trouble during the first phase or two, one of the instructors will step in give them individual help to overcome the problem -- usually it's a problem with sight alignment for a first-time shooter.  We also have .22 semi-automatic target pistols we can lend students for the firing phase, or they are free to use their own guns.  Our only restriction is that we do not allow .44 magnum or .357 magnum ammunition to be used during the class.  Students who own a gun in either of these calibers can still use the gun, but substitute .44 special or .38 special ammo, as other shooters and the instructors find the report of the magnum ammo distracting and annoying.  We also feel that neither of these types of magnum ammunition is a good choice for a defensive carry gun because of the potential problem of over-penetration ("You are responsible for the bullet no matter where it goes" -- even if it's through your assailant and out the other side).  If you're really concerned about passing the firing portion of the class you may want to locate a class that has a number of instructors assisting with each class, then if you need it you can probably get individual attention to get a satisfactory score.

From information from some of our recent class graduates, it seems if they submitted their applications online and then took the class, if there are no questionable issues on their applications (which may take additional time to research) it takes an average of two weeks to receive their permits in the mail following submission of their fingerprints.  If they didn't submit online, but went through the old manual system, it takes about 30 days to get it.

Some time ago -- maybe 10 years or more -- Tennessee used to require the gun used to qualify for the HCP to be listed on the course completion certificate and that information then appeared on the HCP, but that requirement went away at least a decade ago.  You can now qualify with any handgun and then carry any handgun.  The DOS has no idea what you used to qualify.  No record of the handgun you used in class is maintained by the school or provided to the DOS.   With regard to the comment that your shooting score could be used to say you should "shoot someone in the hand", the old application process (which can still be used) did require schools to submit a "class roster" to  the DOS at the completion of the class which included the actual scores for each student for both the written and shooting tests.  The new online application process only reports "pass/fail" for both the written exam and shooting portion of the class.  The school is required to maintain class records for all students, including the actual written exam and the shooting score, for three years, but I have never heard of anyone except the Tennessee Highway Patrol Officer conducting the annual course review, asking any school to provide that information.

Although Federal law states you CAN transit through any state with certain restrictions, remember that if you are stopped and they find a weapon of any kind on you, it will be the STATE or local police who stop you.  They will enforce STATE, not FEDERAL regulations, so you may find yourself in jail for a few days and lose your handgun permanently.  You can then hire an attorney ($$$$$) to defend you in the STATE court by arguing (probably successfully) that FEDERAL regulations prevail.  Hooray, you won -- and you only spent 72 hours in a New Jersey jail, didn't get to the event you went to the State for, and lost your $500 handgun.  Just leave the gun at home or don't go at all.

First, I totally agree that under Tennessee law you are not required to inform a LEO that you have an HCP or that you are armed.  That said, I'm sure the handgun class video, which is produced and distributed by the Department of Safety (Tennessee Highway Patrol) reflects their preferences concerning how a traffic stop is handled.  A couple of times a month we hear about some traffic stop that has gone horribly wrong.  A simple stop for a warning that a tail light is burned out becomes a crime scene, often with the LEO as the victim.  I don't blame police for being suspicious as they approach a strange car and driver, and if they suddenly see a handgun in the car they didn't know about, who can blame them for reacting defensively.  If, as depicted in the video, you start the conversation by telling (and showing) them you have an HCP, they will (usually) assume you are not an escaping killer (who certainly wouldn't divulge having a gun) and things can get right friendly after that; sometimes resulting in your being let go with a warning.

Concerning the 10 day delay between new HCP approval and receipt, as I understand their process, once they approve your application for a new handgun carry permit, the handgun office sends the information to the "permit farm".  I assume the permit farm is somewhere in the Nashville region.  The document itself (along with all Tennessee drivers' licenses) is produced at this facility and put in the mail.  I'm sure that step adds at least a day or two to the whole process. 

The Department of Safety Handgun Permit Office has started a program for online submission of a handgun carry permit application, effective immediately.  The web page is https://apps.tn.gov/handgun/.  Applicants should visit this page before taking the required training class.  They submit essentially the same application they used to, but it is done online instead of on paper.  At the end of the application submission they are given a confirmation number which they should provide to the school they select in which to conduct their training.  School results (written exam results, shooting results and final pass/fail) are also reported to Nashville via Internet by the school.  If the student requests a course completion certificate the school can print one, but a certificate is not required as the student can just present a code number at the driver's license station and all their training results will be available to the person accepting the application.  There have been no changes in the course curriculum, just the online processing of the application.  Schools may still process students in the old manual process for students who do not have computer access or otherwise don't fit into the online application process, or if there is some sort of system failure for the online process.    

It looks like the 2-week turnaround on mail renewals is slipping quite a bit.  My permit doesn't expire until June, but I figured I'd get ahead of the curve and submit my renewal application as soon as I could, so I filled it out and mailed it via Priority Mail on December 4th.  The Post Office lost track of it and couldn't confirm delivery, so I called Nashville on December 10th and they confirmed that they had just received the application that day.  I got my original permit in the mail exactly three weeks from the day I was fingerprinted and I am retired military and have an absolutely spotless record.  It's now 40 days and still no new permit.  I did get my extension letter in the mail in mid-December.  Maybe since they know my permit doesn't expire for a while the put it on the bottom of the pile.

I'm an instructor for my local Tennessee Certified Handgun SAFETY Course (emphasis added) and an NRA Certified Instructor.  As the title suggests, the primary purpose of the course is to provide instruction on safely handling a handgun, not to turn out fully trained tactical fighters.  The state-mandated curriculum closely follows the classroom portion of the NRA's Basic Pistol curriculum, which is directed toward target shooting and not self-defense situations.  There are several points in the required curriculum which address issues which are obviously not appropriate for a handgun carry situation.  One which comes to mind is in the cleaning presentation.  The required presentation says that guns should be cleaned "after every use (no problem with that) and BEFORE USE WHEN STORED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS".  As we tell our students, unless you have a fully functional crystal ball, you will not know when you will need to use you carry handgun in advance, so we suggest they institute a regular program of cleaning and inspection to ensure their gun will work when and if they need it.  This is just one example and there are several other issues in the required curriculum which don't effectively address the requirements for a carry situation.  We point these out as they come up in class (especially when a test question concerns one of these issues).  Our job as instructors for the TN Handgun Safety Course is to turn out graduates who are familiar with basic firearms safety procedures and have at least a minimum level of ability to hit what they are shooting at.  We emphasize the need for additional research and training and assure our students that satisfactory completion of our class does not mean they are ready to respond effectively in a high-stress self defense situation with an armed attacker -- but they are ready to start the process of learning what to do in that situation.  As I am sure you know, the legal aspects of having a carry permit are covered by the State-provided DVD which we show in class.  The State forbids non-attorney and non-law enforcement instructors from sharing their opinions on these with our students.

You'll shoot a total of 50 rounds, so if you get full credit for each shot they will be worth 2 points (or 2%) each.  If they are all within the scoring rings (which go from "X" in the center out to "7") you will get 2 points for each, or a total score of 100%.  Any shots outside the scoring rings, but still inside the silhouette, count 1 point (or 1%) each.  Any shots outside the silhouette count 0.   For example, let's say you shoot all 50 shots at the target and get 28 inside (or touching) the 7-ring.  That would give you a partial score of 56 (28 hits x 2 points each).  In addition you get 15 hits outside the scoring rings but inside the silhouette.  That would give you an additional 15 points (or 15%)(15 hits x 1 point each).  The remaining 7 shots were outside the silhouette and would be scored as a zero.  When you add the 56 and 15, your final score would be 71% and you would pass (barely).   If you have one gaping hole in the center of the target you will be awarded a score of 100.  Yes, maybe you got 49 through the hole and totally missed the paper with 1 shot -- but it's not likely, and even if that happened you obviously exceed the minimum standard to pass the firing portion of the class.

I'm a TN Handgun Safety Course instructor and agree with the posting of ghawk249 above.  Our students, even the first time shooters, haven't had much trouble with the new shooting requirements, but we have found that we have to emphasize the importance of sight , alignment.  If you're prepping for the shooting portion of the class, spend most of your time understanding sight alignment and you shouldn't have any trouble.  To restate the new requirements, the target is a B-29 silhouette, which is about 1/4 the size of the former B-27 target.  The B-27 is a reduced version of the 50 yard B-27 which is meant to me used at 50 feet.  A total of 50 shots are fired.  Twenty shots at 3 yards (9 feet), twenty shots at 5 yards (15 feet), and ten shots at 7 yards (21 feet).  Hits in (or touching) the 7 ring (the outside scoring ring on the target) count 2 points each.  Hits outside the scoring rings but inside the silhouette count 1 point each.  Anything outside the silhouette counts zero.  A total of 70% (or 70 points) is required to pass the shooting phase of the course.

I'm a Tennessee Certified Handgun Safety Course instructor and here's what the State's rules say:   After successful completion of the course the student may be given the completion certificate or it may be mailed to him or her.   No specific time is given, but of course your 6 month limit starts when you pass the course, not when you receive your certificate.  If your course was taught by one or two instructors it is very possible he (or they) don't have the time during the class to complete the certificates for all the students and present them at the end of the class.  In that case the certificates would have to mailed, but I would assume they should go in the mail within a day or two.  The next step is for you to take your certificate, proof of citizenship (original birth certificate or current passport) and $115 (cash, certified check, money order or credit card.  No personal checks.) to a full-service driver's license office, fill out the application and submit it, get your photo taken and get instructions to get your fingerprints taken and submitted to Nashville.   I believe most schools work like ours does.  We have four (sometimes five) instructors teaching the class, which allows several of us to complete the certificates for all the students during the classroom portion of the course while one of us is presenting a lesson, and all of us to keep an eye on the firing line during the shooting phase.  We always provide the students with their completion certificates before they leave the classroom after successuflly completing the class.

I recently purchased my first revolver to carry.  I have two semi-automatics; a Walther PPS and a Sig P239.  The new Taurus seems like an inexpensive, hopefully reliable option.  My problem is that since taking delivery on the Taurus I can't find an OWB holster to fit it.  Although the 605 Poly has been on the market for about two years, it seems the holster manufactures have ignored it.  I have tried a Fobus paddle holster for the 605, but the 605 Poly is apparently quite different and the 605's holster won't work.  I did locate a DeSantis SuperFly pocket holster (model 02) which fits it fine, but I'd like to carry it in an OWB holster, preferably a paddle holster.   Anybody have any experience or suggestions for an OWB holster for the Taurus 605 POLY revolver?  Thanks!!

I use a DeSantis Superfly for my 9mm Walther PPS.  I've had it about two years and use it regularly; especially in warm weather.  It's just starting to show some wear, so I think I'll have to replace it an about another year.  The Superfly is essentiall an Nemisis with a cover on one side to prevent the gun from printing.  If you look, you can see I have something in my pocket but it has no identifiable shape.  It could be a wallet.  The cover is attached with velcor and can be easily removed if desired.

Oops, sorry.  The target designations I have in the above comment section are incorrect.  The old silhouette target is the B-27 and the new target is the B-29.

School Name:  Unaka Rod & Gun Club, Inc. Location:  90 Furnace Road                   Johnson City, TN Primary Instructor:  Stanley Shell HCP Class Cost:  $50, cash or check.  Sorry, no credit cards.  Club guns (.22 Ruger semi-autos) are available, but prefer students bring their own guns. Website:  www.unakarodandgun.com Phone number:  Mike Murray (Club President) -- (423) 926-0221 Your Personal Experience:  I am one of four regular instructors for this course.  Class begins at 8:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of every month and ends at about 4:30 p.m.  Double check on the club's web site to be sure there have been no schedule changes.  Bring your gun and 50 rounds of commercial ammo (unless borrowing a club gun) and your driver's license.  You can purchase lunch in the neighborhood or bring your own and dine in the clubhouse.  Firing range is outside, so dress accordingly.  No pre-registration is required but class is limited to 40 students, so arrive early to assure a seat.

The new firing requirements can be used by Tennessee handgun schools immediately, but it will be mandatory on April 1, 2013.  A total of 50 shots will be required.  The new target is the "B-9", which is a 50-foot reduction of the old B-7, 50 yard silhouette target we all know and love.  The B-9 target is roughly 1/2 the height and 1/2 the width of the B-7 target, which makes it about 1/4 the overall size of the B-7.  The shooting distances are:  20 shots at 3 yards, 20 shots at 5 yards, and 10 shots at 7 yards.  The minimum score required is still a 70, which is 35 hits on or inside the 7-ring of the B-9 target (not just within the silhouette, as before).  Additional revisions of the classroom curriculum have been promised, but no specifics or schedule has been announced yet.  Schools will also have to keep the targets and file them with the waiver forms, written exams and certificates.  If you want to keep your target you will have to let the instructor know and he/she can mount two targets and give you one when you finish shooting.

In a high-stress situation I would definitely shoot for center of mass. Much higher liklihood of hitting your target. Even if you don't kill your attacker, there is a good chance any hit in the abdomen or chest is likely divert his attention. Don't forget, you are not trying to kill your assailant, you are shooting to NEUTRALIZE THE THREAT. It he winds up dead, oh well. A head shot would be much harder to execute against a moving target in a stressful situation, plus the Monday morning quarterbacks in the legal profession could argue that you were shooting to kill.