Reciprocity

[GeneralKnox]

I was looking at www.packing.org.
I saw how many states' permits Tennessee honors. And then I noticed how few honor ours. Am I reading this correctly?

[johnharris]

[Ron W]

I'll be traveling through Alabama the middle of next month on a trip to Florida. Since Tennessee now recognizes other states' gun permits, how soon will Alabama reciprocate? I had thought the hold up with reciprocity with Alabama was Tennessee's more stringent law which Alabama would recognize if Tennessee did theirs. Shouldn't that happen immediately with our new law?

[f5fstop]

Not immediate recognition, it took thirty days. Here is a link to the AL website that was just updated. AL now recognizes TN permits. I have also attached a copy of a letter issued by the AL AG, in regard to the TN permit.

http://www.ago.state.al.us/ag_items.cfm?Issue=64

"IMPORTANT NOTE ON RECOGNITION OF ALABAMA CONCEALED HANDGUN LICENSE OR PERMIT BY THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
For your information, we have posted below, a copy of the 2003 Tennessee Law, Chapter 300 which amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-15-1351d(r)(1). This statute can also be viewed and downloaded at the following web site www.legislature.state.tn.us.

After reviewing the Tennessee and Alabama laws on the recognition of other state's concealed handgun licenses, it is apparent that Alabama, pursuant to Act 2001-494 (ALA. CODE § 13A-11-85 (1975)), has recognized and given effect to Tennessee handgun permits, since July1, 2003, and that Tennessee, with some restriction on Alabama citizens who work in Tennessee, has recognized Alabama concealed handgun licenses, since July1, 2003.

It appears that any Alabama citizen who works in Tennessee on a "regular basis," (i.e. for over 30 hours per week for over 6 months) after July 1, 2003 will only be able to carry a handgun in the state of Tennessee for six months before being required to apply for a Tennessee handgun carry permit. On or before, the last day of that six (6) month period of employment on a "regular basis," the Alabama resident must apply for a Tennessee handgun carry permit. The resident of Alabama, with a valid Alabama concealed handgun license, who works in Tennessee and has applied for a Tennessee handgun carry permit, may continue to carry his handgun by virtue of his Alabama concealed handgun license, until he or she is denied a Tennessee handgun carry permit.

Residents from another state, who work in Tennessee on a "regular basis," may be issued a Tennessee handgun carry permit based on the person having a permit from their state of residence, provided their state has "substantially similar" requirements for a handgun carry permit. At this time it appears that Alabama does not have "substantially similar [handgun] permit eligibility requirements" as Tennessee. Therefore, Alabama residents with a valid Alabama concealed handgun license, who work in Tennessee on a "regular basis," will probably not be able to obtain a Tennessee handgun carry permit.

The Tennessee Department of Safety has not yet written all the regulations to put into effect the amendments to Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1351(r)(1). Therefore, we strongly recommend, that any Alabama citizen who works in Tennessee on a "regular basis," continue to follow the development of the rules for non-resident concealed handgun permit holders to determine how this law will be implemented and to avoid any possible violations of Tennessee law.


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Office of Attorney General
State of Alabama
11 South Union Street
Montgomery AL 36130