FYI: Tn 2011 Handgun Permit Statistics by Tn Research & Statistics Dept of Safety

[GLOCKMEISTER]

Valid Tennessee Handgun Permit Holders and Percent Change by Quarter

2009 - 2011

County 1/1/2009 % Change 4/1/2009 % Change 7/1/2009 % Change 10/1/2009 % Change 1/1/2010 % Change 4/1/2010 % Change 7/1/2010 % Change 10/1/2010 % Change 1/1/2011 % Change

Anderson

3,187 7.02% 3,241 1.69% 3,508 8.24% 3,848 9.69% 4,074 5.87% 4,306 5.69% 4,562 5.95% 4,701 3.05% 4,791 1.91%

Bedford

1,309 5.39% 1,344 2.67% 1,532 13.99% 1,649 7.64% 1,740 5.52% 1,821 4.66% 1,909 4.83% 1,965 2.93% 2,027 3.16%

Benton

859 4.37% 872 1.51% 857 -1.72% 933 8.87% 949 1.71% 962 1.37% 984 2.29% 993 0.91% 1,007 1.41%

Bledsoe

550 4.56% 555 0.91% 530 -4.50% 558 5.28% 577 3.41% 595 3.12% 616 3.53% 637 3.41% 668 4.87%

Blount

4,775 7.89% 4,938 3.41% 5,516 11.71% 5,979 8.39% 6,308 5.50% 6,589 4.45% 6,916 4.96% 7,138 3.21% 7,311 2.42%

Bradley

3,573 4.66% 3,628 1.54% 3,848 6.06% 4,187 8.81% 4,327 3.34% 4,543 4.99% 4,762 4.82% 4,865 2.16% 4,959 1.93%

Campbell

1,762 4.45% 1,769 0.40% 1,778 0.51% 1,949 9.62% 2,040 4.67% 2,147 5.25% 2,284 6.38% 2,319 1.53% 2,358 1.68%

Cannon

652 3.66% 656 0.61% 701 6.86% 761 8.56% 808 6.18% 824 1.98% 859 4.25% 878 2.21% 893 1.71%

Carroll

1,018 4.84% 1,039 2.06% 1,136 9.34% 1,208 6.34% 1,262 4.47% 1,288 2.06% 1,343 4.27% 1,373 2.23% 1,414 2.99%

Carter

1,969 5.92% 1,999 1.52% 2,150 7.55% 2,332 8.47% 2,455 5.27% 2,569 4.64% 2,691 4.75% 2,759 2.53% 2,848 3.23%

Cheatham

1,853 4.22% 1,890 2.00% 2,003 5.98% 2,140 6.84% 2,197 2.66% 2,279 3.73% 2,354 3.29% 2,396 1.78% 2,430 1.42%

Chester

713 6.10% 723 1.40% 766 5.95% 849 10.84% 898 5.77% 953 6.12% 1,008 5.77% 1,036 2.78% 1,050 1.35%

Claiborne

1,476 3.87% 1,525 3.32% 1,527 0.13% 1,709 11.92% 1,785 4.45% 1,874 4.99% 1,938 3.42% 1,980 2.17% 2,032 2.63%

Clay

222 1.83% 234 5.41% 258 10.26% 265 2.71% 276 4.15% 283 2.54% 300 6.01% 311 3.67% 313 0.64%

Cocke

1,176 2.98% 1,204 2.38% 1,318 9.47% 1,437 9.03% 1,489 3.62% 1,545 3.76% 1,665 7.77% 1,734 4.14% 1,821 5.02%

Coffee

1,984 3.66% 2,046 3.13% 2,200 7.53% 2,373 7.86% 2,476 4.34% 2,582 4.28% 2,671 3.45% 2,730 2.21% 2,782 1.90%

Crockett

545 8.35% 584 7.16% 610 4.45% 676 10.82% 697 3.11% 726 4.16% 758 4.41% 773 1.98% 808 4.53%

Cumberland

2,488 4.89% 2,543 2.21% 2,767 8.81% 3,054 10.37% 3,147 3.05% 3,264 3.72% 3,408 4.41% 3,490 2.41% 3,562 2.06%

Davidson

14,325 5.12% 14,672 2.42% 15,443 5.25% 16,520 6.97% 17,220 4.24% 17,940 4.18% 18,616 3.77% 19,074 2.46% 19,425 1.84%

Decatur

606 1.68% 603 -0.50% 597 -1.00% 611 2.35% 633 3.60% 651 2.84% 667 2.46% 684 2.55% 679 -0.73%

De Kalb

1,040 5.37% 1,092 5.00% 1,193 9.25% 1,274 6.79% 1,321 3.69% 1,360 2.95% 1,411 3.75% 1,432 1.49% 1,462 2.09%

Dickson

1,890 6.78% 1,935 2.38% 2,009 3.82% 2,175 8.26% 2,329 7.08% 2,489 6.87% 2,615 5.06% 2,668 2.03% 2,725 2.14%

Dyer

1,171 4.46% 1,180 0.77% 1,239 5.00% 1,338 7.99% 1,375 2.77% 1,431 4.07% 1,475 3.07% 1,506 2.10% 1,535 1.93%

Fayette

2,527 5.20% 2,582 2.18% 2,724 5.50% 2,947 8.19% 3,046 3.36% 3,158 3.68% 3,282 3.93% 3,342 1.83% 3,389 1.41%

Fentress

808 9.49% 831 2.85% 831 0.00% 948 14.08% 987 4.11% 1,030 4.36% 1,085 5.34% 1,102 1.57% 1,112 0.91%

Franklin

1,414 4.74% 1,440 1.84% 1,543 7.15% 1,654 7.19% 1,719 3.93% 1,785 3.84% 1,872 4.87% 1,900 1.50% 1,930 1.58%

Gibson

1,637 8.55% 1,687 3.05% 1,832 8.60% 2,026 10.59% 2,150 6.12% 2,251 4.70% 2,357 4.71% 2,444 3.69% 2,536 3.76%

Giles

908 2.60% 930 2.42% 1,018 9.46% 1,092 7.27% 1,153 5.59% 1,228 6.50% 1,331 8.39% 1,387 4.21% 1,430 3.10%

Grainger

1,011 7.90% 1,040 2.87% 1,149 10.48% 1,264 10.01% 1,328 5.06% 1,377 3.69% 1,439 4.50% 1,482 2.99% 1,520 2.56%

Greene

2,782 5.46% 2,812 1.08% 2,958 5.19% 3,182 7.57% 3,325 4.49% 3,441 3.49% 3,646 5.96% 3,734 2.41% 3,831 2.60%

Grundy

593 4.22% 592 -0.17% 602 1.69% 626 3.99% 640 2.24% 672 5.00% 717 6.70% 726 1.26% 731 0.69%

Hamblen

2,085 4.98% 2,115 1.44% 2,294 8.46% 2,626 14.47% 2,764 5.26% 2,914 5.43% 3,057 4.91% 3,230 5.66% 3,377 4.55%

Hamilton

9,258 5.24% 9,427 1.83% 9,776 3.70% 10,694 9.39% 11,127 4.05% 11,650 4.70% 12,200 4.72% 12,648 3.67% 12,985 2.66%

Hancock

197 10.67% 212 7.61% 247 16.51% 273 10.53% 290 6.23% 298 2.76% 312 4.70% 332 6.41% 339 2.11%

Hardeman

845 4.19% 857 1.42% 870 1.52% 934 7.36% 955 2.25% 985 3.14% 1,024 3.96% 1,033 0.88% 1,045 1.16%

Hardin

1,212 7.64% 1,236 1.98% 1,355 9.63% 1,459 7.68% 1,485 1.78% 1,546 4.11% 1,609 4.08% 1,653 2.73% 1,693 2.42%

Hawkins

2,281 5.85% 2,351 3.07% 2,590 10.17% 2,815 8.69% 2,980 5.86% 3,127 4.93% 3,279 4.86% 3,393 3.48% 3,471 2.30%

Haywood

529 3.73% 547 3.40% 552 0.91% 635 15.04% 647 1.89% 693 7.11% 716 3.32% 745 4.05% 765 2.68%

Henderson

1,202 5.07% 1,221 1.58% 1,229 0.66% 1,321 7.49% 1,363 3.18% 1,421 4.26% 1,495 5.21% 1,544 3.28% 1,582 2.46%

Henry

1,277 5.02% 1,302 1.96% 1,371 5.30% 1,447 5.54% 1,496 3.39% 1,553 3.81% 1,608 3.54% 1,665 3.54% 1,674 0.54%

Hickman

928 6.67% 929 0.11% 990 6.57% 1,052 6.26% 1,102 4.75% 1,163 5.54% 1,194 2.67% 1,212 1.51% 1,221 0.74%

Houston

381 4.38% 394 3.41% 372 -5.58% 418 12.37% 429 2.63% 451 5.13% 475 5.32% 480 1.05% 480 0.00%

Humphreys

939 4.22% 940 0.11% 922 -1.91% 1,009 9.44% 1,056 4.66% 1,111 5.21% 1,140 2.61% 1,169 2.54% 1,185 1.37%

Jackson

435 12.69% 448 2.99% 475 6.03% 498 4.84% 525 5.42% 556 5.90% 561 0.90% 576 2.67% 586 1.74%

Jefferson

1,977 7.04% 2,015 1.92% 2,235 10.92% 2,411 7.87% 2,534 5.10% 2,634 3.95% 2,745 4.21% 2,843 3.57% 2,931 3.10%

Johnson

432 6.93% 438 1.39% 516 17.81% 563 9.11% 594 5.51% 614 3.37% 636 3.58% 663 4.25% 682 2.87%

Knox

13,267 6.67% 13,584 2.39% 14,956 10.10% 16,376 9.49% 17,249 5.33% 18,194 5.48% 19,081 4.88% 19,708 3.29% 20,178 2.38%

Lake

226 -0.44% 230 1.77% 231 0.43% 251 8.66% 256 1.99% 268 4.69% 271 1.12% 277 2.21% 279 0.72%

Lauderdale

895 10.90% 910 1.68% 943 3.63% 1,032 9.44% 1,060 2.71% 1,088 2.64% 1,133 4.14% 1,157 2.12% 1,195 3.28%

Lawrence

1,315 5.88% 1,357 3.19% 1,463 7.81% 1,598 9.23% 1,651 3.32% 1,736 5.15% 1,822 4.95% 1,886 3.51% 1,916 1.59%

Lewis

453 2.49% 464 2.43% 489 5.39% 510 4.29% 536 5.10% 568 5.97% 597 5.11% 629 5.36% 646 2.70%

Lincoln

1,021 6.35% 1,027 0.59% 1,110 8.08% 1,192 7.39% 1,247 4.61% 1,303 4.49% 1,374 5.45% 1,435 4.44% 1,470 2.44%

Loudon 2,031 5.56% 2,114 4.09% 2,311 9.32% 2,545 10.13% 2,684 5.46% 2,822 5.14% 2,994 6.09% 3,067 2.44% 3,138 2.31%

[GLOCKMEISTER]

McMinn

2,471 4.84% 2,491 0.81% 2,592 4.05% 2,784 7.41% 2,880 3.45% 3,009 4.48% 3,129 3.99% 3,214 2.72% 3,284 2.18%

McNairy

964 2.44% 985 2.18% 1,013 2.84% 1,090 7.60% 1,174 7.71% 1,228 4.60% 1,267 3.18% 1,321 4.26% 1,331 0.76%

Macon

612 5.34% 617 0.82% 667 8.10% 725 8.70% 735 1.38% 780 6.12% 823 5.51% 851 3.40% 881 3.53%

Madison

3,723 7.38% 3,833 2.95% 4,094 6.81% 4,435 8.33% 4,632 4.44% 4,881 5.38% 5,079 4.06% 5,176 1.91% 5,261 1.64%

Marion

883 4.13% 881 -0.23% 898 1.93% 958 6.68% 1,001 4.49% 1,044 4.30% 1,092 4.60% 1,109 1.56% 1,114 0.45%

Marshall

950 4.51% 965 1.58% 1,017 5.39% 1,108 8.95% 1,150 3.79% 1,221 6.17% 1,272 4.18% 1,308 2.83% 1,319 0.84%

Maury

2,993 4.36% 3,074 2.71% 3,265 6.21% 3,565 9.19% 3,723 4.43% 3,928 5.51% 4,155 5.78% 4,258 2.48% 4,375 2.75%

Meigs

567 9.46% 570 0.53% 561 -1.58% 611 8.91% 630 3.11% 656 4.13% 691 5.34% 698 1.01% 713 2.15%

Monroe

1,576 8.24% 1,610 2.16% 1,774 10.19% 1,939 9.30% 2,022 4.28% 2,129 5.29% 2,235 4.98% 2,311 3.40% 2,369 2.51%

Montgomery

4,338 7.88% 4,494 3.60% 4,935 9.81% 5,330 8.00% 5,666 6.30% 6,001 5.91% 6,325 5.40% 6,480 2.45% 6,617 2.11%

Moore

299 3.10% 311 4.01% 347 11.58% 369 6.34% 393 6.50% 417 6.11% 437 4.80% 458 4.81% 465 1.53%

Morgan

808 8.02% 833 3.09% 921 10.56% 980 6.41% 1,031 5.20% 1,081 4.85% 1,151 6.48% 1,175 2.09% 1,206 2.64%

Obion

1,031 4.67% 1,039 0.78% 1,094 5.29% 1,239 13.25% 1,334 7.67% 1,406 5.40% 1,488 5.83% 1,538 3.36% 1,566 1.82%

Overton

728 4.90% 758 4.12% 814 7.39% 889 9.21% 925 4.05% 977 5.62% 998 2.15% 1,022 2.40% 1,045 2.25%

Perry

438 5.54% 442 0.91% 446 0.90% 483 8.30% 506 4.76% 529 4.55% 535 1.13% 541 1.12% 562 3.88%

Pickett

178 9.20% 191 7.30% 203 6.28% 223 9.85% 241 8.07% 256 6.22% 265 3.52% 279 5.28% 289 3.58%

Polk

616 6.39% 622 0.97% 678 9.00% 732 7.96% 766 4.64% 790 3.13% 812 2.78% 828 1.97% 869 4.95%

Putnam

2,645 6.10% 2,719 2.80% 2,895 6.47% 3,179 9.81% 3,311 4.15% 3,500 5.71% 3,710 6.00% 3,836 3.40% 3,912 1.98%

Rhea

1,203 5.07% 1,208 0.42% 1,290 6.79% 1,370 6.20% 1,439 5.04% 1,506 4.66% 1,589 5.51% 1,618 1.83% 1,646 1.73%

Roane

2,885 4.11% 2,941 1.94% 3,146 6.97% 3,390 7.76% 3,528 4.07% 3,685 4.45% 3,827 3.85% 3,945 3.08% 4,045 2.53%

Robertson

3,045 2.84% 3,124 2.59% 3,342 6.98% 3,603 7.81% 3,717 3.16% 3,900 4.92% 4,057 4.03% 4,149 2.27% 4,202 1.28%

Rutherford

7,361 5.61% 7,547 2.53% 8,234 9.10% 8,944 8.62% 9,364 4.70% 9,939 6.14% 10,446 5.10% 10,780 3.20% 11,040 2.41%

Scott

745 9.72% 764 2.55% 815 6.68% 892 9.45% 940 5.38% 985 4.79% 1,037 5.28% 1,053 1.54% 1,085 3.04%

Sequatchie

585 3.54% 590 0.85% 593 0.51% 647 9.11% 674 4.17% 691 2.52% 731 5.79% 762 4.24% 786 3.15%

Sevier

3,148 6.50% 3,204 1.78% 3,562 11.17% 3,938 10.56% 4,192 6.45% 4,406 5.10% 4,589 4.15% 4,756 3.64% 4,889 2.80%

Shelby

32,925 5.23% 33,331 1.23% 34,824 4.48% 36,848 5.81% 38,130 3.48% 39,419 3.38% 40,582 2.95% 41,382 1.97% 41,722 0.82%

Smith

656 2.82% 683 4.12% 745 9.08% 830 11.41% 877 5.66% 923 5.25% 949 2.82% 975 2.74% 996 2.15%

Stewart

568 7.58% 580 2.11% 619 6.72% 667 7.75% 693 3.90% 728 5.05% 757 3.98% 766 1.19% 780 1.83%

Sullivan

5,768 5.08% 5,900 2.29% 6,404 8.54% 6,911 7.92% 7,264 5.11% 7,571 4.23% 7,914 4.53% 8,120 2.60% 8,289 2.08%

Sumner

5,412 4.72% 5,584 3.18% 5,990 7.27% 6,569 9.67% 6,858 4.40% 7,255 5.79% 7,634 5.22% 7,863 3.00% 8,065 2.57%

Tipton

3,166 5.25% 3,257 2.87% 3,413 4.79% 3,674 7.65% 3,744 1.91% 3,939 5.21% 4,060 3.07% 4,160 2.46% 4,231 1.71%

Trousdale

218 6.86% 232 6.42% 257 10.78% 285 10.89% 297 4.21% 311 4.71% 330 6.11% 343 3.94% 360 4.96%

Unicoi

880 6.02% 902 2.50% 943 4.55% 996 5.62% 1,027 3.11% 1,067 3.89% 1,124 5.34% 1,155 2.76% 1,175 1.73%

Union

810 2.14% 834 2.96% 888 6.47% 982 10.59% 1,030 4.89% 1,097 6.50% 1,146 4.47% 1,188 3.66% 1,231 3.62%

Van Buren

219 6.31% 216 -1.37% 240 11.11% 264 10.00% 273 3.41% 290 6.23% 303 4.48% 312 2.97% 327 4.81%

Warren

1,500 4.82% 1,525 1.67% 1,608 5.44% 1,723 7.15% 1,836 6.56% 1,929 5.07% 1,980 2.64% 2,024 2.22% 2,074 2.47%

Washington

4,322 4.93% 4,443 2.80% 4,679 5.31% 5,027 7.44% 5,308 5.59% 5,545 4.46% 5,768 4.02% 5,950 3.16% 6,133 3.08%

Wayne

586 2.27% 581 -0.85% 574 -1.20% 595 3.66% 603 1.34% 622 3.15% 647 4.02% 669 3.40% 676 1.05%

Weakley

998 5.61% 1,021 2.30% 1,080 5.78% 1,159 7.31% 1,243 7.25% 1,299 4.51% 1,355 4.31% 1,390 2.58% 1,416 1.87%

White

1,147 10.18% 1,193 4.01% 1,282 7.46% 1,390 8.42% 1,441 3.67% 1,516 5.20% 1,555 2.57% 1,600 2.89% 1,626 1.63%

Williamson

5,082 6.27% 5,298 4.25% 5,964 12.57% 6,537 9.61% 6,894 5.46% 7,275 5.53% 7,650 5.15% 7,900 3.27% 8,119 2.77%

Wilson

4,946 6.37% 5,125 3.62% 5,607 9.40% 6,121 9.17% 6,458 5.51% 6,731 4.23% 7,073 5.08% 7,314 3.41% 7,508 2.65%

Total 218,004 5.56% 222,822 2.21% 237,753 6.70% 257,224 8.19% 268,711 4.47% 281,120 4.62% 293,431 4.38% 301,481 2.74% 307,816 2.10%

SOURCES:

For a better understanding.

http://www.tennessee.gov/safety/stats/DL_Handgun/Handgun/HandgunCarryPermitswithPercentChange.pdf

Tennessee Handgun Permit 2010 Stats

[Cherokee Slim]

I'm glad to see an overall gradual growth. Looks like the greater growth overall is in the more rural areas. If I had to of guessed ahead of time I would have said Shelby, Davidson & Knox would have been way out in front. I see God's Country, AKA Hamilton, has a good growth rate. Not a huge surprise when you look at all the cowboys shooting and the number of people at local ranges. Thanks for the post.

Cherokee Slim

[Guest HvyMtl]

Actually, I am not surprised Memphis and Davidson Co are not leading. Remember, the political lean for those areas are not towards gun rights...

I am glad it is growing, but wish it were more...

[JAB]

I'm glad to see an overall gradual growth. Looks like the greater growth overall is in the more rural areas. If I had to of guessed ahead of time I would have said Shelby, Davidson & Knox would have been way out in front. I see God's Country, AKA Hamilton, has a good growth rate. Not a huge surprise when you look at all the cowboys shooting and the number of people at local ranges. Thanks for the post.

Cherokee Slim

I wonder if this isn't in part due to a shift of 'crime centers', as well. I'm not yet 40 (well, not until June, anyway) and I can remember a time that if you minded your own business, watched where you hung out and didn't go to 'dangerous' parts of town then you'd most likely be okay. Heck, I lived for most of the 1990s on East Fifth Avenue - back when there was what I believe was a crack house on the corner, hookers used to block the alley our carports were on and would walk up and try get in the car with you when you stopped at the red light (at Olive and Magnolia) at the end of the alley, we had drive-by shootings across the street and so on - and I didn't carry a gun. I counted on situational awareness and not doing anything stupid to keep me safe - and, apparently, it worked (or maybe I just got lucky.)

Now, however, the meth cookers set up their labs in rural areas, those very areas that used to be more or less safe. Then there are the meth heads and oxy addicts who would kill you for money for their next fix or because they think that prescription you just picked up might have some painkillers in it and maybe folks will begin to realize that decent people no longer need to go looking for trouble because trouble will find them (not that it wouldn't, before, but it seems more likely now.) Hell, I was probably safer walking down the sidewalk on East Fifth at dusk, right past that crack house, fifteen years ago than I would be in some rural areas of Loudon, Monroe, McMinn and Anderson counties in broad daylight, now. Throw in the fact that many of these more rural areas have very small police forces which, regardless of officer dedication, are unable to provide more than the most rudimentary, sparse police coverage and it is easy to see why citizens of such areas - perhaps even more than their urban counterparts - need to be armed for self defense.

Of course, even back then the one incident where I most wished that I had a firearm with me happened not in the neighborhood where I lived but when I was fishing at a small, dirt boat ramp with a gravel parking lot way out in the country in Blaine. In fact, that incident - more than anything that ever happened on East Fifth - nagged at my mind and figured, in some part, into my decision to get my HCP.

I also wonder if the restaurant carry bill didn't have some influence on the increase. After all, even many 'mom and pop' type restaurants which would never be described as a 'bar' offer beer as a beverage choice on their menu. Before the change, carrying there meant carrying illegally. Some folks may have figured that if they were going to be carrying illegally in 3/4 of the places they were going to go, anyway - and no one was likely to ask questions in the other 1/4 - there probably wasn't much benefit to giving the state $115 just to be told, "No, you can't carry there," anyhow. Once carry in more places became legal, though, more of those folks may have begun to see a benefit to getting an HCP. Further, media coverage of the restaurant carry issue - even though it often took an 'anti' slant - may have had the unintended consequence of making more people aware of the fact that they, too, could get an HCP.

Edited March 11, 2011 by JAB