Memphis, TN - Criminals beware! There are more Mid-Southerners who are taking the fight against crime into their own hands. The Tennessee Department of Safety says the number of handgun permits issued in Shelby County are up. The number of handguns permits issued to Shelby County residents has risen every year from 2004 to 2007. The 2008 figures are not yet available.
Shelby County already has more than double the number of handgun permit holders compared to the rest of Tennessee’s counties. In January 2007, The Tennessee Department of Safety listed 25,224 permit holders in Shelby County. The next highest population of gun owners was in Davidson County, where Nashville is located. Davidson County has 11,891 permit holders. Knox County followed with 9,784.
“It's the most violent metropolitan area in the United States. We have a high percentage of handgun permit owners and we have a high percent of armed criminals here,” said Tom Givens.
Givens owns Rangemaster in Southeast Memphis where he trains handguns owners. He says Shelby County’s high crime statistics are why so many residents seek handgun permits. Givens said, “They come in when something's happened to them, to their neighbor, to a co-worker, to a relative. In general, it's in response to something that's happened close to home.” He added,” “The news is our best salesman.”
Collierville couple Dr. Deborah and Jack Gentry are two of Rangemaster’s newest customers. They recently decided it was time for them to file for handgun permits. Jack Gentry said, “ We felt like we need to be a little proactive in protecting ourselves and our family.” Deborah Gentry added, “We decided we would take ballroom dancing and then we decided this (handgun training) would more fun than ballroom dancing.”
The Gentrys say learning how to correctly shoot a handgun has made them feel more confident about their abilities to keep themselves and their family safe. Deborah said, “ Now, there's no doubt in my mind that I'm comfortable handling it and that I'm not going to hurt myself or anyone else.”
There are restrictions on who can be issued a handgun permit in Tennessee. For example, you must be at least 21 years old and you cannot have felony convictions on your police record, among other rules.
To become a valid handgun permit holder in Tennessee, you must first fill out an application. They are available at driver license centers. You must then take an eight hour training course, pass a written test, and be fingerprinted by police. A Tennessee handgun permit costs $115.00.
