Image, Shutterstock
Jackson Police Chief Julian Wiser would like to let everybody know that effective Thursday, July 1, 2021, Tennessee now has a Permitless Handgun Carry provision that allows any person to carry a handgun openly or concealed, if they meet certain requirements. Those requirements are:
- The person must be over 21 years of age or 18 if they are in the military or have been in the military and have been honorably discharged.
- The person must lawfully possess the handgun.
- The person is in a place where they have the legal right to be.
Even with the new handgun carry provision; there are still limitations on where or when a person is able to carry a handgun. Some examples of when a person cannot carry a handgun include but are not limited to:
- Judicial buildings
- Federal buildings
- Private schools where posted
- Public schools or places in use by the school
- Public recreation buildings, civic centers
- When you are under the influence of alcohol
- Any location posted or prohibited by law
There are also a list of disqualifiers under Federal and State laws that would prohibit a person from possessing a firearm and they are not able to carry a handgun. Some of those restrictions include but are not limited to:
- A conviction of a felony including a drug conviction, crime of violence or using a deadly weapon
- A conviction for domestic violence
- Under a court jurisdiction’s to prevent harassing, stalking, or threating an intimate partner
- A fugitive from justice
- Renounced their US Citizenship
- Unlawfully in the United States
- An unlawful user or addicted to any controlled substance
- Has had 2 or more convictions for DUI anywhere in the past 10 years
- Has a conviction for stalking
- Subject to any other state or federal law that prohibits them from possessing a firearm
Also, with the Permitless Handgun Carry, a person is still more restricted on the locations of their ability to carry a handgun than with a State of Tennessee issued Concealed Handgun or Enhanced Handgun Permit, such as parks and campgrounds.
Additionally, the penalties for the theft of a firearm have been increased. Now, any theft of a firearm is a Class E Felony and a defendant will have to serve 180 days in confinement upon conviction. Additionally, the theft of a firearm from a vehicle is an enhancement factor at sentencing.