Musing on concealed carry permits

North Carolina qualification target

I recently applied for my North Carolina (NC) carry permit. The permitting process in NC involves taking an all-day class (Old School Protection in Johnston County) which includes a shooting qualification test at close range. I should get my permit within 90-ish days of applying.

As I was taking the class, in the back of my mind I was musing about the different requirements of various states. With a variety of requirements among the states, the results are always about the same - -

In the mid 1970's I got a "Pistol Toter's Permit" in Georgia. It had no training requirements. To this day, permits in Georgia do not have specific training requirements. I had a Tennessee permit for over twenty years. The requirements there are similar to NC requirements, a day of training with a shooting test. Both Tennessee and North Carolina require a background check; and North Carolina requires a check to see if you are reported to be a loony tune. Florida requires that you show some evidence of training and have a background check.

There are differences between between these states, and between them and other states. Tennessee just a few years ago enacted "Constitutional Vehicle Carry", meaning that with just a few prohibited areas, one may legally carry any firearm they lawfully own or possess in their vehicle. North Carolina, on the other hand has had "Constitutional Open Carry"* since 1921. In Florida, Open Carry (with a few exceptions) is strictly forbidden.

Some states require no permit, including Vermont, which has no permitting process, and Arizona, which makes permitting optional, for those who might want a permit for interstate travel to states that recognize the permit. Also, there's that pesky Federal gun-free school zone act that apparently makes an exception for permitted individuals.

Now what is the result, as mentioned at the beginning?

• Peaceable citizens, with rare exceptions, act responsibly when armed, whether permitted or not.
• The permitting process is a de-facto infringement on the right to bear arms.
• Bad actors with felony convictions or misdemeanor domestic violence offenses often continue to ignore laws and be ongoing bad actors.
• Bad actors, all to frequently, ignore gun-free-zone signs, and continue to kill and maim.
• Most legislators are accessories-before-the-fact, because they continue to mandate gun-free-zones for peaceable citizens, thus creating killing fields for mass-murderers as we have now seen in Florida.

For further information on state laws on guns, check out handgunlaw.us

* H/T John Richardson of Only Guns and Money blog

Presidential election, 2016

I have stayed mostly silent, because this far out, it's anybody's guess.

I definitely plan to vote for Cruz if he is still in the race during the primary.

In the general election, I don't see how I could vote for any of the socialist/statist candidates on the Democratic side.

That leaves me with the Republican candidate.

I hope it will not be another of those "hold your nose and vote" situations.

Never forget, Clinton likes the Australian method of gun control.

Simply put, its

COLLECT & CRUSH!

Do you agree that 2015 is the year for Gun Free Zones to go? Read my commentary HERE.

Gratuitous gun ban zones must go

Recent massacres in Charleston and Chattanooga show the fatal error of having these set-asides for criminal predators. Read more at Knox Gun Guy.

Every Gang-banger in Memphis

• Concerning Constitutional Open Carry, Deputy House Speaker Steve McDaniel is reported in the Memphis Flyer, (as quoted by the Tennessee Firearms Association) to have said,

• Every gang-banger in Memphis will end up packing. Can you imagine?

Well, Mr. McDaniel, I can imagine that gang-bangers in Memphis, as well as Nashville and Knoxville are already packing. 

In case you didn't know, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Gang-bangers who are felons are already prohibited from packing by Federal law.

What you should have said, MR. Deputy Speaker, is,

All law abiding, low income resident of Memphis will be able to defend themselves against gang-bangers. Can you imagine?

I suppose your stance means that you are a member of the victim disarmament society. 

I thought we had already buried Jim Crow. 

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Mt. Juliet, Tennessee city employees to pack heat?

John Lott informs us that the City of Mt. Juliet may soon allow employees to carry firearms on the job, provided they have handgun carry permits.

While I am not at all opposed to the idea, this ordinance will create a special class of citizen.Shouldn't the citizens who pay their salaries have the same privilege. What about equal protection under the law?

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If you find this article to be informative or interesting, please share the link with your friends. Feel free to share the entire article, including this link back: http://goodhillpress.blogspot.com/

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Blount County 2nd Amendment Rally 2/9/13 at noon

For details go HERE.

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If you find this article to be informative or interesting, please share the link with your friends. Feel free to share the entire article, including this link back: http://goodhillpress.blogspot.com/

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

At Examiner: Are guns OK at Chick-fil-A?

Some stores and businesses post against handgun carry by law-abiding citizens, creating hazard-free work zones for criminals. Others recognize that the law-abiding citizen is part of the solution, not part of the problem.

For more on Chick-fil-A Day, see this post.

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If you find this article to be informative or interesting, please share the link with your friends. Feel free to share the entire article, including this link back: http://goodhillpress.blogspot.com/

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Are Tennessee Republicans paying attention?

The national GOP party platform is very supportive of 2nd Amendment firearms rights. If R&R sweep into office, and get a majority in both the House and Senate, I fully expect National Reciprocity to pass.

Meanwhile, back in Tennessee, the leadership of the Republican Party took the position that a good citizen, who has had a background check, been fingerprinted, and ID'd, can't be trusted to take a gun back and forth to work and leave it locked in the car. They seem to think, not unlike the national leadership of the other party, that lawful gun owners are just one argument away from becoming a mass murderer.

This same leadership has steadfastly refused to bring Constitutional Carry to pass in Tennessee. I suppose they think us hillbillies aren't to be trusted. Not like those folks in Vermont, Alaska, Arizona, and Wyoming, whose natural right to self protection has been codified into law. These states' leadership recognize that inherent, God-given right to self preservation with the most useful tool, the handgun; without having to get a permission slip from the state.

The National Rifle Association and Tennessee Firearms Association took a stand against the Tennessee Republican leadership; supported, and helped Courtney Rogers soundly beat part of that leadership, Debra Maggert.

The remainder of the leadership can pay attention now, or pay attention later, when their colleagues are steadily picked off by TFA and NRA.

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If you find this article to be informative or interesting, please share the link with your friends. Feel free to share the entire article, including this link back: http://goodhillpress.blogspot.com/

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

At Examiner: Volunteer victim disarmament plan under legislative scrutiny

University of Tennessee's policies continue to provide criminals with a Safe Working Environment.

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If you find this article to be informative or interesting, please share the link with your friends. Feel free to share the entire article, including this link back: http://goodhillpress.blogspot.com/

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

National reciprocity

A good thing. See my post at Examiner.

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If you find this article to be informative or interesting, please share the link with your friends. Feel free to share the entire article, including this link back: http://goodhillpress.blogspot.com/

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Tennesse 6th Senate District candidate Victoria DeFreese

Victoria DeFreese has provided the following answers to the gun rights questionnaire*. The same questions have been provided to her opponents, but they have not yet responded.

July 27, 2011

1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land" and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges our birthrights?

I believe that the Bill of Rights clarified natural rights of man that are God-given ~ life, liberty, pursuit of happiness and property.  I do believe that the US Constitution is the "supreme law of the land."  I also believe that the 10th amendment was ratified to explain the limits of the federal government:  "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by all levels of government, including city, county and state?

I believe that the powers of the federal government should be limited.  I believe any infringement on our Bill of Rights should be proactively protected by and from all levels of government.

3. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider constitutional.

Most gun laws that are restrictions on gun carry or ownership I do not support. I think  any restriction on a non felons from gun carry or ownership in about any situation  is a bad law and unconstitutional. I guess I would go with gun crime laws such as armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and such would be constitutional gun laws.

4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.

Bans on public land (outside of courtrooms) from right to carry.  

5. Does the right to bear arms include the right for any peaceable citizen to carry them concealed without a permit, as in Vermont?

Tennessee carry bill follows Vermont law

UPDATE: This bill is DOA this year.

Senator Stacey Campfield recently introduced SB 397 in the Tennessee General Assembly. Here is a breakdown of the bill and the sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated it modifies. There are a few of my added comments, but the bill sections, when associated with the relevant TCA sections, are rather clear. 

In a nutshell, Section 1 states that anyone not prohibited from purchasing a firearm may carry one (except as otherwise prohibited). Section 2 duplicates the historical Vermont statute, while eliminating the vague with intent to go armed section of current Tennessee law. Section 10 explicitly states that a permit is not required to carry a weapon in Tennessee. If a person can legally own a gun, he/she can legally carry it.

Governor Haslam has publicly stated, as reported in the News-Sentinel,

"If the Legislature passed it and brought that to me, I said I would sign it."

The time has come for gun owners to contact their legislators, get a companion bill in the House, and get this passed into law! 


The bill and related current law are 'mixed' below. Color coding has been added for help.

SENATE BILL 397  - - By  Campfield 

SECTION 1.  Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13, is amended by adding the following language as a new section thereto: 
39-17-1313.  Any resident of Tennessee who is a United States citizen or permanent lawful resident, as defined by § 55-50-102, who has reached twenty-one (21) years of age, and who is not prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm in this state pursuant to § 39-17-1316 or § 39-17-1307(b), 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), or any other state or federal law, may carry a firearm in this state except as otherwise prohibited by law.  


SECTION 2.  Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1307, is amended by deleting subdivision (a)(1) in its entirety and by substituting instead the following:
39-17-1307. Unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon. —
(a)  (1)  A person commits an offense who carries with the intent to go armed a firearm, a knife with a blade length exceeding four inches (4²), or a club.
(a)(1) A person commits an offense who carries a weapon, openly or concealed, [with the intent or avowed purpose of injuring a fellow man.]  [bracketed text is identical to Vermont 13-1-85-4003]