Greene County law enforcement is continuing to educate the public about the new state law of no longer requiring permits to carry a firearm.

Greene County Sheriff Jack Williams says while the state no longer requires an individual who is legally able to carry a firearm to have a permit to carry, there are still locations where firearms are prohibited from the general public, including any federal building, the state capitol building or within 1,000 feet of school grounds. However, Williams adds you do need a permit to have a loaded handgun in your vehicle, otherwise, the gun must be unloaded, ammunition magazine is separated from the weapon, and not easily accessible.

Greene County Attorney Thomas Laehn explains one reason to have a permit to carry is when you travel into another state.

“They require you to either have a permit in their state or in the person’s home state. Those other states are not going to recognize our permitless carry, they require a permit. Now they would recognize our permits. Anyone who wants to bring a gun across state lines, one they need to know which states will acknowledge our permits, which are most states, but not all states. But then secondly, it’s still a really good reason to get a permit, because otherwise, you can’t bring a gun across state lines.”

Sheriff Williams says a concealed weapons permit is $100 and is valid for five years. He adds, having a permit also eliminates the waiting period for the background check when purchasing a firearm. He points out local law enforcement will be flexible with educating the public initially about this new law.

“Which is what myself and the (Jefferson) Chief of Police have directed our guys is to use extreme decision-making process in charging somebody or just educating them. Because we don’t want to be arresting people who are in their own good faith think they’re following the law.”

The new law took effect July 1st.