UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF A WEAPON
Present law provides that a person commits an offense who carries, with the intent to go armed, a firearm or a club. However, present law provides that it is an exception to the application of the above offense that a person is carrying, whether openly or concealed, a handgun and the person is at least (i) 21; or (ii) 18 and:
(A) Is an honorably discharged or retired veteran of the United States armed forces;
(B) Is an honorably discharged member of the army national guard, the army reserve, the navy reserve, the marine corps reserve, the air national guard, the air force reserve, or the coast guard reserve, who has successfully completed a basic training program; or
(C) Is a member of the United States armed forces on active duty status or is a current member of the army national guard, the army reserve, the navy reserve, the marine corps reserve, the air national guard, the air force reserve, or the coast guard reserve, who has successfully completed a basic training program;
Starting January 1, 2025, this bill limits the present law exceptions described above to applying in every county except in Shelby County. In Shelby County, this bill provides that it is an exception to the application of the above offense that a person is carrying, whether openly or concealed, a handgun and the person has a handgun carry permit issued pursuant to existing law.
PILOT PROGRAM
This bill requires the department of safety ("department") to establish a three-year pilot program that is in effect from January 1, 2025, to January 1, 2028, in Shelby County, for the purpose of encouraging residents of those counties who want to lawfully carry a handgun to obtain an enhanced handgun carry permit or a concealed handgun carry permit.
This bill requires, as part of the pilot program, the department to waive the application and processing fee for an enhanced handgun carry permit under existing law and the application and processing fee for a concealed handgun carry permit under existing law for persons residing in Shelby County.
REPORT
This bill requires the department to analyze and compare data on the incidences of gun violence within the geographical area of the pilot program that occurred before and during the pilot program. The department must prepare a report of findings and conclusions and submit the report to the chairs of the criminal justice committee of the house of representatives and the judiciary committee of the senate by January 1, 2028.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-17-1307(g), 39-17-1307