Now that long gun carry is legal...

[Guest pws_smokeyjones]

It is a hassle to carry a long gun in a vehicle for self defense, unless you are dealing with riot/Katrina situations. At that point, it really doesn't matter what the law is. I really doubt you are going to be concerned if you even have a permit, you're going to load up your handguns and long guns, put them in your vehicle, and head out of town, whether it is legal to do so or not.

Handguns are easier to move around in a car for self defense than a long gun. Since you can't even take a loaded long gun out of a vehicle in TN (unlike Arkansas or Texas) except on your own property, hunting, fishing, or target shooting, what is the point? You can't carry the long gun loaded technically in a Wal Mart parking lot between your friend's truck and your truck. You have to unload and then magazine load again. Very silly, but it is the law.

About all this law is good for is for shooters and hunters transporting long guns to the ranges and hunting spots in vehicles, nothing more. We thankfully don't have to keep ammo in two separate spots or unload magazines out of fear a cop may not believe that YES i am wearing orange and YES i have this loaded rifle in the truck incident to hunting and have to go fight it in court to get your grandpa's prized rifle back.

A hint to chambering a rifle without scaring game is chamber the rifle in the vehicle when you get to your hunting spot BEFORE turning the engine off INSIDE your vehicle IF you've got the room. Be careful of course...it's a bit of a challenge with a long gun but can be done. A deer won't hear chambering if you're doing that inside a truck or SUV with the engine running.

Things would be a lot simpler if long guns were not treated as weapons in Tennessee...kind of like Arkansas or Texas. Back home in Arkansas we can legally walk down the street with one chambered, magazine loaded, however you want, with no license. OF course, no one does so, but it means no weapons charges for hunters and sports shooters who have a loaded rifle when going to a hunting spot or range.....cuts down on a lot of confusion and hassle over a loaded 30-30.

I grew up in AR originally so walking around with a loaded rifle as a youngster was just part of life. that is where I am coming from. However now I drive a Tahoe during hunting season and the rifle is in the back. Not really practical to get out, get the rifle, then climb back in the drivers seat - close the door and rack a round into the chamber. I'm sure I will get over it.

At least now I am legal to carry the magazine loaded in the gun like I always have.

[Fallguy]

When I was young my Grandfather lived in Hot Springs, AR. We used to go there fairly often....I remember how surprised I was to find they closed school the first day of deer seasons. Made a lot of classmates that hunted jealous...

[Guest Mugster]

After thinking it over, I'm pretty sure this law has nothing to do with hunting and will not benefit me at all. Here's the problem, and feel free to hit me with a cluebat if this is not right.

The hunting laws have not changed. This means its still illegal to hunt from a licensed vehicle and also illegal to hunt on a public road.

Bearing in mind that if you hit a TWRA checkpoint or something (they can do that at any time and anywhere in the state), if your sitting in your truck and its stationary and you have a loaded rifle...thats hunting from a licensed vehicle just the same as it was last year. You step out on a road (God help you then), thats "hunting down a road". Doesn't matter, handgun or long arm in terms of "illegal hunting".

And like another guy posted, the permit does nothing for you on twra managed land.

My advice is, be cautious until you see what they are going to enforce and what they aren't. Particularly hunt clubs and public land. If your on your own back 40, be a pretty tough sell I'd say. But I'll be locking my stuff up like I have been the last few years until I get to where I'm hunting.