Legal Posting Requirements

[Guest gopher]

If a business does not want to allow weapons in their establishment, is a sign on the door stating "No Weapons Allowed" with the circle and slash through an image of a gun sufficient?

I was out today and noticed a posting like this at an eyecare business. Since I thought they also had to have language referencing the statute (i.e. "Pursuant to TCA 39-17-1359...") in order to be a lawful notice, this peaked my curiousity.

Not that I would "test" a business that has an improper posting, but inquiring minds want to know.

[Fallguy]

A business can use the "slash and gun" symbol along with a properly worded sign, but not instead of.

You can see http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/firearms-law-faq/21580-tca-39-17-1359-tennessee-prohibition-carry-notice.html for more info.

I have never seen an actual court case where someone was prosecuted for carry past a properly posted sign. So not sure if the exact wording has ever been legally defined in court. But I agree with you in that 39-17-1359 needs to be mentioned along with the fact is a punishable crime per the law.

[Guest bkelm18]

There is an Attorney General Opinion somewhere that states the the Circle/Slash symbol is not a proper sign.

[Fallguy]

There is an Attorney General Opinion somewhere that states the the Circle/Slash symbol is not a proper sign.

07-43 Posting Notices that Handguns Are Not Permitted in Private Buildings

[Guest 270win]

I have not seen very many LEGAL signs prohibiting carry in Tennessee. The penalty, if convicted, is pretty minor. I have a feeling, if 'found out', someone with a permit would be asked to leave/take handgun to car. Most police are pretty decent folks and don't want to arrest someone with a permit over a silly sign.

[Guest jos2f]

Even if the slash/gun sign is not "legal", it is still within the businesses rights to prohibit the gun on the property. Just as if a manager in Wal-Mart were to ask you to take your gun to the car, he wouldn't have to produce a "legal posted" sign and show it to you.

The only benefit I can see to a legal sign verses a slash/gun is that the legal sign might help with prosecuting a person as a criminal offense instead of a misdemeanor trespassing (if it comes to charging a person)

[Fallguy]

Even if the slash/gun sign is not "legal", it is still within the businesses rights to prohibit the gun on the property. Just as if a manager in Wal-Mart were to ask you to take your gun to the car, he wouldn't have to produce a "legal posted" sign and show it to you.

The only benefit I can see to a legal sign verses a slash/gun is that the legal sign might help with prosecuting a person as a criminal offense instead of a misdemeanor trespassing (if it comes to charging a person)

That's about it.....even if it is not a "legal posting" you can be pretty sure if your made you'll be asked to leave. Don't leave and your trespassing. If it is a legal posting, you could be charged for simply carrying past the sign if whoever witnessed the misdemeanor wants to bring charges.