Hi Leprechaun!
I recently moved my family from (Rochester) NY to TN. Great decision, you won't regret it!
There are gun shops all around, 2nd only to churches. Most shops offer the 8-hour gun-safety course for $40-45, the pre-requisite to getting licensed for carry in TN. After the course, it's a trip to the county Courthouse for permit application. FYI, you can get Class III weapons in TN. Good times!
Folks here are considerably more friendly than what you and I are used to, but they do cock their head and look at you funny once you open your mouth. Casually mention you left NY to get away from all the whack-jobs and crazy politics, and they'll warm right up, and ask how cold it really gets up there.
Got a friend outside Nashville (Lasscassis), also a transplant from NY. Nice country out that way. I'm outside Knoxville. Reminds me of the Finger Lakes and ADK's. Just gorgeous country here. Lush and green, fantastic weather. Have met a lot of transplants. So far we are very happy w/ the move. Feel free to ping me if you have any questions.
C'mon now, the 9's aren't THAT bad, are they really? Hollow point is still going to leave a big hole on the way out, won't it?
- K