I'm also a gun owner, how is Tennessee with gun rights?

Tennessee is very active in pursuing legislation establishing more freedoms for gun owners. It's a shall-issue state for carry permits. Handguns may be carried openly or concealed. Long guns must be unloaded when carried in public.

Just a few years ago, they strengthened the castle doctrine law so that vehicles are considered an extension of your home, allowing the carry of a loaded gun of any type in your car even without a carry permit.

Tennessee also just passed a law enabling faculty and staff to carry on campuses of public universities and colleges.

Oh, and we also passed a law last year allowing guns in bars. I'm not a fan of that one, but it is a good example of how far the state legislation is trying to advance the rights of gun owners.

Anyone may legally prohibit guns on their premises by posting a sign that meets the requirements of T.C.A. § 39-17-1359.

Carry permits require attending a single eight hour class. My class didn't last that long; we had a small class and we were all familiar with safety. Hell, one of the guys in our class was an Army sniper just back from a tour in Afghanistan. We were there maybe more like six hours including the hour or so we spent at the range.

Tennessee issued the 500,000th carry permit sometime last year. For a state of 6.5M, that's roughly 1 in every 13. Despite the number of issued permits, it's somewhat unusual to see someone open carrying in public. I think most that are permitted are either carrying concealed, in their vehicles, or only carry situationally.

I hope that helps!