1. (1) Applicant means an individual who applies to obtain, renew, duplicate, upgrade, or reinstate a handgun carry permit.
2. (2) Commissioner means the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
3. (3) Conviction means a plea of guilty, a finding of guilt by a court of competent jurisdiction, or the acceptance of a plea of nolo contendere.
4. (4) Department means the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security acting directly or through its duly authorized officers and agents.

5. (5) Dishonorable conditions mean the following:

   1. (a) A dishonorable discharge;
   2. (b) A bad conduct discharge; or
   3. (c) A dismissal.
6. (6) Employed on a regular basis means a person has been gainfully employed in this state for at least thirty (30) hours a week for six (6) consecutive months not counting any absence from employment caused by the employee’s use of sick leave, annual leave, administrative leave or compensatory time.
7. (7) Handgun carry permit means a permit issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

8. (8) Enhanced handgun carry permit means a handgun permit issued pursuant to T.C.A. § 39-17-

   1. 1351.
9. (9) Concealed handgun carry permit means a handgun permit issued pursuant to T.C.A. § 39- 17-1366.
10. (10) Lawful permanent resident means the status of having been accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant in accordance with immigration laws such status not having changed.
11. (11) Non-resident permit means a permit issued to a person who is a resident of and handgun permit holder in another state, but is employed in this state on a regular basis.
12. (12) Permittee means a person who currently holds a valid handgun carry permit.
13. (13) Resident means any person who lives in Tennessee for a period of time exceeding thirty (30) days in which the person’s habitation is fixed, and to which, whenever the person is absent, the person has a definite intention to return. Resident also includes any person in the military residing in Tennessee, pursuant to military orders, and presents the department with the necessary documents as determined by the department to prove such residency.
14. (14) Sheriff means the chief law enforcement officer of the county.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 2-2-122, 4-3-2009, 4-5-202, 39-17-1351, and 39-17-1360. Administrative History: Original rule filed September 16, 1996; effective January 28, 1997. Repeal and new rule filed February 23, 1999; effective June 28, 1999. Amendment filed October 20, 2003; effective February 27, 2004. Amendment filed December 15, 2006; effective date April 30, 2007. Amendments filed July 19, 2012; effective December 29, 2012. Amendments filed December 19, 2024; effective March 19, 2025.