US Army Corp of Engineer

[Toy4Rick]

Hello all,

PSA... I went fishing a couple of weeks ago and stopped in to the welcome center at Bledsoe Creek State Park to get some info on fishing...

Upon entering the building I noticed a No Firearms Permitted sign so I asked about it.

She told me, even though it's a state park and CCW is permitted, this state part it's under the authority of the USACE and Open/CCW is not permitted. Can be locked up in car but not on you.

I asked her if there is a way to get permissions and she said yes to contact the Nashville branch office and make the request, they only handle requests for the waters under their authority.

2-3 emails later, here's what I know, email your request to their office of your desire to CCW on all land/waters under the authority of USACE, provide a photo copy of front/back of your TN state issued ECP and they will process the request. Once granted (should be several days per the very helpful gentlemen I have been emailing with), a copy must be carried with you at all times, permission is for CCW only, NO open carrying allowed ever, permission is valid for the duration of your state issued permit...

All in all, a very good experience even if it seems redundant and a waste of time, but free none the less

Good luck

Send email request and a copy of your TN State issued ECP (both sides) to: chief.public-affairs@usace.army.mil

Edited October 18, 2023 by Toy4Rick

[Defender]

13 hours ago, Toy4Rick said:

Hello all,

PSA... I went fishing a couple of weeks ago and stopped in to the welcome center at Bledsoe Creek State Park to get some info on fishing...

Upon entering the building I noticed a No Firearms Permitted sign so I asked about it.

She told me, even though it's a state park and CCW is permitted, this state part it's under the authority of the USACE and Open/CCW is not permitted. Can be locked up in car but not on you.

I asked her if there is a way to get permissions and she said yes to contact the Nashville branch office and make the request, they only handle requests for the waters under their authority.

2-3 emails later, here's what I know, email your request to their office of your desire to CCW on all land/waters under the authority of USACE, provide a photo copy of front/back of your TN state issued ECP and they will process the request. Once granted (should be several days per the very helpful gentlemen I have been emailing with), a copy must be carried with you at all times, permission is for CCW only, NO open carrying allowed ever, permission is valid for the duration of your state issued permit...

All in all, a very good experience even if it seems redundant and a waste of time, but free none the less

Good luck

Send email request and a copy of your TN State issued ECP (both sides) to: chief.public-affairs@usace.army.mil

Glad the people and the process are good, but that doesnt sound right to me.  When the laws were changed both in Tennessee and Nationally, I dont think this was the the intent.

[Pain103]

I had this discussion with TWRA previously about carrying on the priest. None I spoke to could care less about a responsible person carrying especially concealed. It's the drunks and dangerous boaters they were worried about. But good to know they helped you out.

[dawgdoc]

This situation is ripe for review under Bruen.  It wasn't that long ago that they just outright banned guns.   The only reason it is allowed now is due to lawsuits they lost.

It seems like under Bruen, there are no analogous historical laws justifying a literal permission slip from one Army guy in order to exercise a right on a piece of land.  Although I think the founders would take a dim view of the standing army controlling huge areas of State land.

[Toy4Rick]

Quick update...

Received my approval today, states a copy must be carried with you while carrying... it's 2 pages 8.5x11. Guess I'm going to be carrying an electronic copy, my wallet is not big enough.

So you can carry on the lakes and land around the lakes but can't go into the visitors center or ranger station... we trust you to carry but not around us SMH

Better than being rejected

Be safe out there

[River02]

On 10/23/2023 at 6:36 PM, Toy4Rick said:

Quick update...

Received my approval today, states a copy must be carried with you while carrying... it's 2 pages 8.5x11. Guess I'm going to be carrying an electronic copy, my wallet is not big enough.

So you can carry on the lakes and land around the lakes but can't go into the visitors center or ranger station... we trust you to carry but not around us SMH

Better than being rejected

Be safe out there

Yeah--- good to know and thanks for doing the leg work on this and posting the results. As mentioned above-- I don't see this "policy" standing long under Bruen. Can't see the current court handing down a ruling broad enough that provides  "sensitive places" cover to a Ranger station or VC.