A day of classroom/range training is involved. It's very basic, with an open book test and something like 70% accuracy in center mass at the range. Then it's fingerprints and application at the drivers' license office. The total cost is less than $200. It only took me a month to get it in the mail. Be prepared for the fact that the class will likely be useless and provide loads of misinformation. You may also have an instructor muzzle-sweeping students in the classroom. Once you receive your permit you can OC or CC, but do some research on your own via handgunlaw.us and the TN code website to get the details on the law. In short, it is not a complicated process at all to get a permit.
Sent from an app instead of a browser simply because browsers on mobile devices are incapable of basic usability by design so that people can sell apps.
Mostly correct, especially about the useless class.
However, the application and fingerprinting processes are two different and separate steps.
So the correct process is:
- Take the [useless] class (cost: about $40-$60), plus for me a drive of 15 miles one way
- Take the class cert to the driver's license office, then and only then, they give you the fingerprinting information, which is done by a separate agency (a private one in Lincoln county); cost: nothing, but for me, another 15 mile drive one way (the driver's license place is right across the street from where the class was held; but the class was held on a Sunday and yep!, you guessed it: the DL place isn't open on Sunday! Yea!)
- Go get your fingerprints taken at the fingerprint place; cost: nothing, but for me,
another 20 mile drive one way (the fingerprinting place was only open on Monday and Thursdays, I went by the drivers place on a Wednesday; of course there is no way to know beforehand - what a surprise!
- Wait for your license.
I forget what the license cost ($120), so the total infringement on my 2nd amendment rights is:
$180, 100 miles of driving and a one month or so wait. "...shall not be infringed..." my you-know-what!
Please tell me that someone is working for constitutional carry in TN and getting rid of that moronic CCW process.
And, let's not forget one other very critical point about TN gun law: In TN, if you're carrying a gun, you are breaking the law and are considered guilty until proven innocent. Hence, any LEO has RAS right off the bat if he sees your gun and can treat you just like a criminal until he is satisfied that you are not. The TN CCW permit (and other states CCWs *I presume*) is one way to prove your innocence. Guilty until proven innocent. Goes against the very basic tenant of US jurisprudence (innocent until proven guilty) IMO.