(1) Enhanced Handgun Safety Schools shall use handgun instructors who meet the following minimum qualifications:
- (a) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;
- (b) Be eligible for the Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit outlined in T.C.A. § 39-17-1351(b);
(c) Applicants shall not:
- 1. Have been convicted of a felony offense, stalking offense, or domestic violence offense at any time;
- 2. Have been convicted of any drug related offense or alcohol related offense in the past ten (10) years; HANDGUN SAFETY PROGRAM
- 3. Be subject to an active order of protection; or
- 4. Be disqualified from purchasing, possessing, or carrying a firearm at the time of application.
- (d) Shall submit proof of the completion of a firearm/handgun instructor training course consisting of a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours and have a curriculum approved by the Department; and
- (e) Shall possess an instructor certificate issued by the Department. Certificates are valid for three (3) years from the date of issuance. Instructors must renew by submitting an application every three (3) years, not less than thirty (30) days prior to expiration of current certification.
- (2) Enhanced Handgun Safety Schools may utilize attorneys who are not Department Certified Instructors to instruct only that portion of classroom instruction directly related to the legal liabilities and other legal aspects of the instruction.
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-3-2009 and 39-17-1351. Administrative History: Original rule filed January 25, 1995; effective April 10, 1995. Amendment filed September 16, 1996; effective January 28, 1997. Amendments filed December 19, 2024; to have become effective March 19, 2025. However, the Government Operations Committee filed a 15-day stay of the effective date of the rules on February 26, 2025; new effective date April 3, 2025.