SB 1227

Present law authorizes the issuance of enhanced handgun carry permits and concealed handgun carry permits. The most significant difference between the two permit types is that an enhanced hand gun permit applicant must provide proof of completing a handgun safety course that includes classroom and firing range hours (subject to exceptions for persons with certain law enforcement or military training in firearms), while an applicant for a concea l ed handgun carry permit must demonstrate competence with a handgun based on military service or completion of a hunter safety course, a firearms safety course, or government firearms training. This bill changes enhanced handgun carry permit and concealed handgun carry permit to enhanced firearm carry permits and concealed firearm carry permits, respectively, thereby authorizing holders of such licenses to carry firearms other than handguns under certain circumstances. The change will also apply to tempo r ary handgun carry permits that are issued to persons who are granted an order of protection. This bill changes the present law concerning reciprocity for permits issued by other states so that a person who holds a f acially valid handgun permit, firearms permit, weapons permit, or license issued by another state will be entitled to the privileges of a firearm carry permit issued by Tennessee . This bill changes certain training requirements from applying to handguns specifically to firearms generally. Th is bill provides that enhanced handgun carry permits and concealed handgun carry permits prior to this bill's effective date will automatically be deemed to be to enhanced firearm carry permits and concealed firearm carry permits.