Tennessee Firearms Training Schools

Tennessee has at least 95 state-approved firearms training schools, according to the Tennessee Firearms Association (TFA). You don't need to take classes to own a gun in the state, but you must obtain a permit to carry one. To obtain a permit, you must complete at least four hours of course work and four hours of range training with a qualified Tennessee firearms instructor. Schools also offer advanced courses to help students improve their marksmanship skills.

  1. Schools and Courses

    • The nonprofit TFA publishes a list of firearms training schools and instructors throughout Tennessee. It is available on the organization's website. To obtain a Tennessee handgun permit, you must complete an eight-hour course at an approved training facility. You will be given a certificate upon completion of the required training. Firearms training schools throughout the state also offer advanced courses in handgun safety; tactical shooting; personal protection; and rifle, pistol and shotgun marksmanship.

    Instructors

    • Instructors at approved firearms training schools are certified by the state of Tennessee. They have completed instructor courses offered by the National Rifle Association (NRA) in basic pistol, rifle and shotgun shooting; home firearm safety; and personal protection. Generally, the courses they teach combine classroom work with range training. Instructors also teach gun safety and how to clean and care for firearms.

    Facilities

    • Among well-known Tennessee firearms training facilities are The Range, near Centerville, Tenn., about 50 miles from Nashville. Others include Rattlesnake Ridge Training Center and School in Indian Mound, about 10 miles from Fort Campbell, near Clarksville; Tactical Response in Camden; Austin's Tennessee Firearms School in Oak Ridge; On Target Training Center in Knoxville; Dodd and Associates Training in Chattanooga; East Tennessee Firearms Safety School in Kingsport; Farris Firearms Training in Rockvale; the Academy of Personal Protection and Security in Nashville; and Mountain Tactical near Bristol.

    Mobile Training School

    • Cumberland Tactics, based in Goodlettsville, is a mobile firearms training school that offers marksmanship classes in participants' home areas. Classes are taught on police shooting ranges, public ranges, and on farm and ranch properties where there is a safe backdrop and ordinances don't prohibit gunfire.