Guns tileNASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee House has voted to create a $500 lifetime handgun carry permit.
The chamber voted 90-3 on Monday to approve the measure sponsored by Republican Rep. John Holsclaw Jr. of Elizabethton.
Current handgun carry permits are valid for five years. The initial application fee is $115, while renewals cost $50.
Under the bill, people with lifetime permits would still have to undergo background checks every five years and the Safety Department would still be able to suspend permits for people who are charged with crimes.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on its version of the bill on Wednesday.
About 500,000 people have handgun carry permits in Tennessee.