Gun Owner’s Rights Fears Driving Increase in Handgun Carry Permits

Detective Lieutenant Kenneth Lodwick instructs a carry permit class on Saturday at the Dandridge Police Station
– Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

The State of Tennessee House and Senate have passed the Guns in Trunks bill and it is on the way to the Governor’s desk for his signature. The issue of gun rights has been a concern across the Nation and, especially, in Tennessee. Jefferson County Representative Jeremy Faison sponsored the Guns in Trunks bill in the House and he has been out spoken regarding gun rights. Faison’s Bill was heavily co sponsored by nine House members including Representative Andrew Farmer, who shares Jefferson County representation with Faison. Other legislation concerning gun issues is still awaiting approval and the uncertainty of gun rights has sent many Tennesseans to class to qualify for a gun carry permit. Tennessee has around 41,000 more gun carry permit holders than it did in the year prior to the Presidential election. Locally, close to 4,000 residents have carry permits and the number is climbing. The fear that changes may be on tap regarding gun carry permits has some residents flocking to gun carry classes to get their carry permit. A surprising change in demographics shows the number of women that are getting gun carry permits are on the rise.  The Dandridge Police Department has been holding regular carry permit classes. Detective Lieutenant Kenneth Lodwick instructed a carry permit class on Saturday at the Dandridge Police Station. Detective Lodwick stated that there has been considerable interest in the classes that have been conducted thus far and that Saturday’s class was one of the least attended classes that he has instructed. Weather was most likely a factor in lower numbers for Saturday’s class, though even n the face of cold and snow the class had around fifteen participants. Carry permits that are issued in the State are vetted on the local level by law enforcement.