Handgun owners in the state will receive a little relief in the wallet in 2017.
A pair of new laws with be on the books at the start of the new year making access for handgun permits come with a bit of ease for a select group of individuals while reducing the price for lifetime handgun permits.
Stanley Shell, instructor at Unaka Rod & Gun Club in Johnson City, is no stranger on providing information to individuals looking to secure a permit and added he’s excited to see the installation of the new laws.
“I think it’s a great thing,” Shell said Wednesday. “This is a great chance for citizens that want to exercise their second amendment right. You’re looking at only paying $315 for a permit right out of the gate while current permit holders only have to pay $200 to have a lifetime permit.”
While the new law for lifetime permits opens the door for more individuals to obtain a permit, it doesn’t mean they come to just anybody. Handgun permits are issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and are obtained by attending classes offered by different clubs and organizations, which are certified by the state, including Unaka Rod & Gun Club.
“The state requires anyone looking to obtain a permit to attend a class certified by the state,” he said. “We are just one of the different clubs in the area that certified. We enjoy doing this. We aren’t in it for the profit. These classes are great for people to learn the basic fundamentals of safety when exercising their second amendment rights. And they get that no matter where they attend a class in the region. The trainers are all certified.”
The other law hitting the books will move the minimum age from 21 to 18 years old for members of the United States Armed Forces that are either an active service member or have been honorably discharged or retired.
“I think it’s a great law,” Shell added. “These servicemen and women of the military have already showed and went through what it takes to handle a handgun.”
Shell reiterated that it comes back to safety and knowledge for people looking to utilize their right to bear arms and encouraged individuals to take the right steps when looking to either receive a permit or handgun. Unaka Rod & Gun Club recently concluded classes but Shell added the individuals can visit unakarodandgun.com online or call (423) 361-6439 and the club can help people the right direction to get a permit.
And once the permit is in hand, obtaining a firearm also offers a bit of due diligence.
Proper identification is needed before purchasing a handgun, according to Russell Davis with Barnett’s Gun and Indoor Range in Hampton. When the proper identification checks out, information is plugged into background check database to see if the individual meets the right requirements before purchasing a firearm.
Once obtaining a permit and going through the proper protocol to purchase a firearm, Davis added that it’s best for individuals to work with different firearms at an indoor or outdoor range with someone experienced to see what type of firearm would be the perfect fit before purchasing an item.
Davis added that he would be more than willing to work with anybody looking to learn more information on firearms. Interested patrons can either visit the store or call (423) 896-7123.