2023 Tennessee Code › Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812) › Chapter 17 - OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE (§§ 39-17-101 — 39-17-1812) › Part 13 - WEAPONS (§§ 39-17-NEW — 39-17-1366) › Section 39-17-1315 - Written directive and permit to carry handguns

(a)
(1)
(A)
The following persons may carry handguns at all times pursuant to a written directive by the executive supervisor of the organization to which the person is or was attached or employed, regardless of the person's regular duty hours or assignments:
(i)
Any law enforcement officer, police officer, bonded and sworn deputy sheriff, director, commissioner, county magistrate or retired law enforcement officer who is bonded and who, at the time of receiving the written directive, has successfully completed and, except for a law enforcement officer who has retired in good standing as certified by the chief law enforcement officer of the organization from which the officer retired, continues to successfully complete on an annual basis a firearm training program of at least eight (8) hours duration;
(ii)
Any director or full-time employee of the Tennessee emergency management agency in the performance of the director's or employee's duty;
(iii)
Any duly authorized representative or full-time employee of the department of correction who has been specifically designated by the commissioner of the department to execute warrants issued pursuant to §
40-28-121
or §
40-35-311
or to perform such other duties as specifically designated by the commissioner; or
(iv)
Any other officer or person authorized to carry handguns by this, or any other law of this state.
(B)
A copy of the written directive shall be retained as a portion of the records of the particular law enforcement agency that shall issue the directive. Nothing in this subdivision (a)(1) shall prevent federal officers from carrying firearms as prescribed by federal law.
(2)
(A)
Any duly elected and sworn constable in any county having a population of not less than eleven thousand one hundred (11,100) nor more than eleven thousand two hundred (11,200), according to the 1970 federal census or any subsequent federal census, and being a county in which constables retain law enforcement powers and duties under §§
8-10-108
,
40-6-210
,
55-8-152
,
57-5-202
and
57-9-101
, are authorized to and may carry handguns at all times and may equip their vehicles with blue and red lights and sirens. The sheriff of such county shall issue a written directive or permit authorizing the constables to carry a handgun; provided, that each constable has completed the same eight-hour annual firearm training program as is required by this subsection (a).
(B)
The county commission may, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, require the constable to have in effect a liability policy or a corporate surety bond in an amount of not less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
(b)
(1)
An individual, corporation or business entity is authorized to prohibit the possession of weapons by employees otherwise authorized by this subsection (b) on premises owned, operated or managed by the individual, corporation or business entity. Notice of the prohibition shall be posted or otherwise noticed to all affected employees.
(2)
An individual, corporation, business entity or governmental entity or agent thereof is authorized to prohibit possession of weapons by any person otherwise authorized by this subsection (b), at meetings conducted by, or on premises owned, operated, managed or under control of the individual, corporation, business entity or governmental entity. Notice of the prohibition shall be posted or announced.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 1029, § 10; 1993, ch. 471, §§ 2, 4; 1994, ch. 943, §§ 2-9, 11-13; 1995, ch. 434, § 1; 1996, ch. 905, § 1; 1999, ch. 498, § 1; 2003, ch. 144, § 1; 2007, ch. 318, § 1; 2007, ch. 586, § 3; 2012, ch. 727, § 8.