Question: I have been told that I do not have to conceal my handgun. I think this is correct but I can't find anything in the law that says this. Where can I find this law? Robert - Dickson, Tennessee
Answer:
There is no law or section withing the Tennessee codes that addresses this issue. It is mute on the subject. There is a reason for this.
When this law was initiated in 1994, it was administered by the Sheriff's. Some Sheriffs liked the law & some did not like the law. The cost for a permit could be $ 20.00 in one county and $ 200.00 in the next county. A person had to go to the Sheriff in the county where he or she lived to apply for a handgun permit.
There were so many problems that the state Legislature decided enough was enough. They placed the overseeing of this law with the TN Department of Safety. D.O.S. did not want it but, there was nothing they could do about it. When this change was made, Harold Stockburger, the representative from East Tennessee who intruduced the law, was afraid that some of the Sheriff's could cause a problem if the definition of 'concealment' was not exact. A Sheriff who did not like the law could tell his Deputies to bring in any person who had a handgun permit and they could say the pistol was not concealed properly. Then the permit holder had to fight the word of the Sheriff in the Court. They had to spend money and time to do this.
Harold Stockburger said "Lets leave the mode of carry out of the law", then no person can object to how a person carries his or her pistol. There can be no opposition because there is no mandatory type of carry.
This is how it stands to this day. Thanks to a nice family man from East Tennessee.
Is there any proposed legislation in the 2008 General Assembly that would allow handgun permit holders to go into a resturant that sell alcohol if they are not drinking?
It is just nuts to have to leave a handgun in a vehicle when you go out to eat.
Thanks, Robert Spring Hill, Tennessee
Answer: Here is the bill sponsored by Senator Doug Jackson. Click on icon below. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
