permitless handgun carry
Permitless Carry and Handgun Safety
This is a new training initiative to serve our citizens throughout Shelby County.
The Tennessee Governor signed a new state law allowing for the permitless carry of handguns, effective July 1. However, there is no training requirement to accompany this law.
We need to ensure our citizens who choose to carry a firearm have a level of understanding about the TN firearms laws and know how to safely handle and operate a firearm because their firearms handling mistake could mean serious bodily harm or death of an innocent bystander.
Therefore, the Sheriff’s Office offered free handgun safety classes, but no live weapons fire. The classes were taught by SCSO certified firearms instructors -- the same instructors who teach our deputy sheriffs.
Four inaugural three-hour training classes were held in May and June at the SCSO Training Academy. This video on the SCSO YouTube channel is an actual class taught by a certified firearms instructor.
In the class, attendees learned about safe and proper weapons handling techniques, recommended ways to carry and secure your handgun, and some specifics from state law about when you can and cannot use deadly force. Also, we also discussed proper handgun safety during any interactions with deputy patrol officers.
The choice to carry a handgun is a major decision in your life, and it can affect the people around you if you mishandle your gun. We want the people who chose to carry a gun to understand the fundamentals of proper gun safety and to learn the state laws concerning the use of deadly force.
When the law changed to allow citizens to have guns in their cars for personal protection (the extension of the castle doctrine from the home to the car) the citizens who left their guns in their cars usually did not have handgun carry permits. Therefore, they were required by law to leave their guns in their cars while away from their homes. It is reasonable to expect that with the new permitless carry law, these citizens are now allowed to keep their guns on their person and are not required by law to leave them in the cars--so maybe we will see fewer guns left in cars.
Of course there will still be some citizens who leave their guns unattended and unsecured in their cars—and that is unfortunate and irresponsible behavior.
Following enactment of the new gun law legislation, SCSO will summarize and continually update the key requirements on our social media, and along with our media partners, publish the information in the news to educate the public about the new gun laws and the recommended best practices.
The Sheriff supports the 2nd Amendment and law-abiding citizen’s rights to carry a firearm. The current TN handgun carry process allows for background checks and a minimum level of training or verification of training in the use of firearms. It provides for training about the state’s firearm laws, and education in the correct use of firearms, such as when someone can employ the firearm to protect themselves or others.
The Tennessee Sheriff’s Association and Sheriff Bonner do not support the current plan for permitless carry and believe there are not enough precautions in the proposed law. There is a process to obtain a license to drive an automobile, which ensures your ability to operate the vehicle and the testing of your knowledge about traffic laws. There should be similar common-sense requirements before a 21-year-old can start carrying a firearm in public.
To register for future classes, call or text the SCSO Training Academy at 901-562-3059, or e-mail GunSafetyClass@shelby-sheriff.org.
SCSO Citizen Handgun Training Class
This is a new training initiative to serve our citizens throughout Shelby County. The Tennessee Governor signed a new state law allowing for the permitless carry of handguns, effective July 1. However, there is no training requirement to accompany this law. We need to ensure our citizens who choose to carry a firearm have a level of understanding about the TN firearms laws and know how to safely handle and operate a firearm because their firearms handling mistake could mean serious bodily harm or death of an innocent bystander. Therefore, the Sheriff’s Office offered free handgun safety classes, but no live weapons fire. The classes were taught by SCSO certified firearms instructors -- the same instructors who teach our deputy sheriffs. Four inaugural three-hour training classes were held in May and June in 2021 at the SCSO Training Academy. This video below on the SCSO YouTube channel is one of those classes, taught by a certified firearms instructor.
https://youtu.be/x0LqQ5I6aQM
Public Information Leaflet
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Shelby County District Attorney General's Office
The Shellby County District Attorney General's Office has also published information on the permitless carry law.
Click this link for more information: https://www.scdag.com/permitless-carry