Q- What does the PERMIT class cover??
A- In the course of 12 hours of instruction, we cover Firearms Safety; Mechanical Operation; Basic Marksmanship; How to Carry and Safely Store your weapon; Legal Issues, including your rights and restrictions; gun cleaning and maintenance, ammunition; and most importantly, the Psychology of Personal Protection. You will take a written test based on the material covered in the course, and fire your gun on the range for qualification. This course takes the novice through the steps needed to meet the requirements for a TN HANDGUN CARRY PERMIT. Range firing is conducted in small groups so the instructors can give individual attention and coaching.

Q- How much ammo will I need??
A- You can find this and other info. under Class Description.

Q- Do I have to obtain a bond or insurance??
A- Not after October 1, 1996. However, the Tennessee Firearms Association does encourage persons who are carrying handguns in public to be financially responsible and consider handgun carry liability insurance which is available in Tennessee.

Q- Can I use my out-of-state PERMIT in TN, or my TN PERMIT in other states??
A- In 1997, Tennessee enacted a form of reciprocity. Under the 1997 law, Tennessee will honor non-resident handgun permits from states that i) have handgun permit laws that are substantially similar to Tennessee's permitting process and ii) which also honor or recognize Tennessee handgun carry permits. See the TFA's Reciprocity Information Page for more information.

Q- Do I have to own the gun I qualify with??
A- No. You must legally posses it. You may borrow one from a friend or relative, etc.

Q- Must the gun I qualify with be registered??
A- No. There is no such thing as registration in TN. The only info. from the gun needed for the permit process is the Make, Model and Caliber. NO SERIAL NUMBER.

Q- Must I carry the gun concealed??
A- No. The TN HANDGUN CARRY PERMIT allows you to carry openly or concealed. We at TAC2 highly recommend that you carry it concealed. We cover the reasons for this in the class.

Q- Can I carry more than one gun??
A- The law does not forbid carrying more than one gun at a time and we at TAC2 highly encourage it.

Q- When can I use my gun in self-defense??
A- This is too complex a question for this format, and we go over this in depth in the class. The short answer is very simple-THE GUN IS STRICTLY AND ONLY FOR PERSONAL PROTECTION, AS A LAST RESORT, WHEN YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE FEAR OF SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR DEATH TO YOURSELF OR ANOTHER PERSON. You are not legally entitled to use a gun to prevent a non-violent crime, or to protect property. The gun is for the protection of innocent human life.

Q- What kind of gun should I buy??
A- PLEASE, if you don't already own a gun, speak to me FIRST! There is a lot of information you need before you can make an informed, intelligent choice. We hope you will never need your gun for self-defense, but if you do, you will need it VERY BADLY! You must have a gun that meets certain requirements for it to be of much value to you in a self-defense situation. A bad decision could literally mean your or your family's life. Call me, I'll be glad to share my knowledge and opinion with you.

Q- How much does the PERMIT cost and how long is it valid??
A- The initial permit costs $115. Duplicate permits (you can have as many as you want) are only $5 each. The $115 paid to the state does not include the cost of your training class. The Tennessee permit is valid for four years. Upon payment of a renewal fee of $65, your permit is good for another four years, just like a driver's license. If you fail to renew when required, you must repeat the entire process.

Q- How much does the PERMIT class cost??
A- The TN HANDGUN CARRY PERMIT classes taught at TAC2 are ONLY $50.
Other schools are charging $75-$100.  We do this mainly as a public service.
The cost of the training class does not include the permit fee charged by the state.

Q- When are the PERMIT classes available??
A- We normally conduct a Permit class on the fourth 4th Saturday of each month.
They run basically from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
A complete schedule of TAC2 classes can be found under Calendar.
Private classes may be scheduled for groups of 6 or more if needed.

Q- How do I sign up for one of these classes??
A- Class size is limited, so we require registration in advance. You can sign up online on our web site, or come by the office in person, or mail. Class fees must be pre-paid, by cash or check. If you have any questions, call our office and ask for details.

Q- Where can I carry my gun if I have a PERMIT??
A- Your permit is valid anywhere in the State of Tennessee. It is also recognized in about 35 other states.
There are certain restrictions. For instance, even with a permit, it is unlawful to carry a gun on school grounds, in courtrooms, and in businesses that post against firearms.
Additionally, any business that posts their public entrances with \"NO FIREARMS ALLOWED\" signs are off limits.
We cover all of this in the class. More information on this may be found on the TFA website.

Q- Do I need a PERMIT to have a gun in my home or place of business??
A- No. The permit is to legally carry the gun on your person as you go about your daily activities in public. You can possess a gun in your home, or car, or business without a permit.

Q- Must I qualify with the gun I intend to carry??
A- No. The state does not require you to qualify with the gun you intend to carry, HOWEVER, we at TAC2 strongly recommend that you qualify with the most powerful handgun that you might carry. We cover the reasons for this in the class.

Q- Is a gun really the answer to my personal security needs??
A- The gun is ONE tool at your disposal, but it is not a cure-all or a magic charm. You need other tools as well. In the Permit Class we discuss the actual problems faced by our community and a number of steps you can take to lower your risk of being assaulted. The gun is a part of an overall program of risk reduction and risk management. We will fervently hope and pray you never need your gun, and teach you ways to reduce the likelihood of needing it. But if those measures fail, the gun may be the only thing standing between you and your family being raped, crippled, or murdered. The average man or woman has no hope of physically defeating a tougher, stronger, and less civilized attacker and no matter how big or strong you are, you are no match barehanded against a thug with a gun/knife/tire iron/etc. With a proper gun and skill in its use, even the small, the female, the less able, and the elderly CAN defend themselves against social predators.

Q- How do I get a TN HANDGUN CARRY PERMIT??
A- STEP 1

Register and take our TN HANDGUN CARRY PERMIT class.

This is normally done in one day, however, we will schedule a special class for you, if you have at least 6 students in your group.

The State of TN only requires 8 hours, however, our class usually runs about 10 hours.
We give you much more than you pay for, and I guarantee you will not find a class that even comes close to the quality of ours.

When you complete this course, you get a State issued certificate from us.

STEP 2

You take the certificate of completion we issued, to the DOS - Department of Safety and apply for your permit.
You may go to any driver\'s training station - even if it is not in your home county.
When you go for your appointment, you must bring cash or a certified check/money order for the permit fee ($115) and the original of your training certification,
which cannot be more than six (6) months old, 2 forms of ID, one of which must be a photo ID. The application must also be signed in their presence.
They will take your application, copies of the certificate, your money, and take a photo of you.

STEP 3

Once you have made application with the DOS, they will give you a number to call and schedule an appointment to have your fingerprints taken.

STEP 4

Go home and wait. TN law allows 90 days for the DOS to get your permit to you.