taking long guns and pistols camping

[Guest AMERICAL]

since I don't have a safe yet, and I do not want to leave these friends behind, the Mrs. and myself are going camping this weekend with the kids and grandkids to a state park , I will take these friends along for the ride and keep them secure in the vehicle. asking fellow members what would you do? any suggestions would be appreciated, no wisecracks!!

[DaveTN]

I wouldn’t camp where I couldn’t have a gun. There is stuff out there that will kill you and eat you.

I wouldn’t take guns into a park where they are banned.

Find a new place to camp.

[Guest bkelm18]

Pistols are ok in a state park as long as you have an HCP. However long guns are still illegal in state parks.

[Fallguy]

Pistols are ok in a state park as long as you have an HCP. However long guns are still illegal in state parks.

What if there is absolutely no ammo for the long gun on the camp site?

Wouldn't it be legal then?

I mean if you are taking them with you for the simple fact you are worried about them being stolen if you leave them at home, you wouldn't need to take an ammo with you.

[Guest bkelm18]

What if there is absolutely no ammo for the long gun on the camp site?

Wouldn't it be legal then?

I mean if you are taking them with you for the simple fact you are worried about them being stolen if you leave them at home, you wouldn't need to take an ammo with you.

I dunno, man. I'm just going off the answers I received (including yours) from a similar thread I made regarding long guns in state parks. I still say possession of a long gun in a state park is a no no. I understand my question was slightly different, but I mean, a firearm is a firearm, whether it's loaded or not doesn't really matter, does it?

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/tennessee-politics-legislation/24023-long-guns-state-park.html

Edited August 30, 2009 by bkelm18

[Guest redbarron06]

My understanding is that if you have a HCP you can have a long gun in the car loaded as long as it has an empty chamber. Because carry in a state park is legal if you have a HCP then I dont see what the problem is.

My .02 worth. I am not however a lawyer.

[Guest bkelm18]

My understanding is that if you have a HCP you can have a long gun in the car loaded as long as it has an empty chamber. Because carry in a state park is legal if you have a HCP then I dont see what the problem is.

My .02 worth. I am not however a lawyer.

Well, here's my line of thought. All firearms were previously prohibited in state parks. http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/106/pub/pc0428.pdf is the law that amended that, but it only specifies handguns, it does not mention long guns, which would lead one to believe that long guns are still a no go. I don't think the loaded long gun with HCP argument is valid because you cannot carry a long gun, the law only allows you to have it in your car where it is not otherwise prohibited (like a park).

Edited August 30, 2009 by bkelm18

[Guest redbarron06]

Well, here's my line of thought. All firearms were previously prohibited in state parks. http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/106/pub/pc0428.pdf is the law that amended that, but it only specifies handguns, it does not mention long guns, which would lead one to believe that long guns are still a no go. I don't think the loaded long gun with HCP argument is valid because you cannot carry a long gun, the law only allows you to have it in your car where it is not otherwise prohibited (like a park).

I can see where if could get confusing. Does the law that allows you to carry a long gun in your car exclude parks?

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1307, is amended by

adding the following new subsection (e):

(e) It is an exception to the application of this section that a person authorized to carry a handgun pursuant to § 39-17-1351, is transporting a rifle or shotgun in or on a privately-owned motor vehicle, and the rifle or shotgun does not have ammunition in the chamber. However, such a person does not violate this section by inserting ammunition into the chamber if the ammunition is inserted for purposes of justifiable self-defense pursuant to §§ 39-11-611 or 39-11-612.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.

I would think that as long is it does not leave the car it would be ok but might want to check with a lawyer.

[analog_kidd]

Maybe call the park and talk to the ranger. Ultimately he/she will be the one to arrest you if a long gun is discovered.

[Guest bkelm18]

Anyone wanna submit for an AG opinion?

[Guest redbarron06]

Anyone wanna submit for an AG opinion?

I think that would be a great idea. I would like to see it worded a little more vaguly than just state parks though. For example I spoke with TWRA and they told me that a loaded mag still constitutes a loaded gun and is illegal in the car on a WMA.

[Guest AMERICAL]

since I don't have a safe yet, and I do not want to leave these friends behind, the Mrs. and myself are going camping this weekend with the kids and grandkids to a state park , I will take these friends along for the ride and keep them secure in the vehicle. asking fellow members what would you do? any suggestions would be appreciated, no wisecracks!!:usa:

Thanks pards: I think we are either going to mousetail or pickwick, not sure yet, i know you can target practice at natchez trace. anyway the friends will not be loaded, again thanks for you imput.

[Guest HexHead]

I think that would be a great idea. I would like to see it worded a little more vaguly than just state parks though. For example I spoke with TWRA and they told me that a loaded mag still constitutes a loaded gun and is illegal in the car on a WMA.

TWRA, these are the same guys that have a heart attack if you show up at the range with your legally carried pistol in a holster and present it for inspection.

[Guest Patty]

Your best bet for piece of mind would be to leave them home. Or at a friends house.

[Fallguy]

I can see where if could get confusing. Does the law that allows you to carry a long gun in your car exclude parks?

No, the new long gun carry law doesn't exclude parks, it's just that firearms in parks are generally illegal per 39-17-1311.

The new park carry law only makes an exception for handguns, not all firearms.

But I still wonder if makes a difference if the long gun is unloaded and/or there is no ammo for it.

[Guest redbarron06]

Another option may be to remmove some of the key items to make the gun usless. The bolt for a bolt action, take the lower reciever of an AR-15. The barrel of a pump shotgun. Just take part of each weapon. Keep it big enough so that anybody that might think of stealing it would look at it as more trouble than it is worth.

[Guest Jcochran88]

Just talked to the local park ranger for Montgomery Bell State Park. He said any long gun with or without ammo would be a illegal.

[analog_kidd]

Just take the pistols, leave the long guns home. You'll be OK.

[JayC]

Pistols are ok in a state park as long as you have an HCP. However long guns are still illegal in state parks.

I'm not sure that is correct... Can you provide a cite?

The long gun in your vehicle law doesn't seem to be limited in where you can carry with it. Now outside the vehicle I would agree long guns are prohibited.

[Fallguy]

I'm not sure that is correct... Can you provide a cite?

The long gun in your vehicle law doesn't seem to be limited in where you can carry with it. Now outside the vehicle I would agree long guns are prohibited.

I think it goes back to what I said. Long guns (with all firearms) are generally prohibited in parks by 39-17-1311. Whether in your hand, in your car or up in the air...it doesn't matter what they are in, they can't be in the park. Unless you/they fall into the list or exceptions in the park carry law. The exception for HCP holders in the new park law, is for handguns only.

Just as the new WMA law allows for carry in a WMA, but only if you can otherwise legally be there. In other words, because you a HCP doesn't mean you can carry on WMA if it is closed to the public for some reason.

The new long gun carry law, doesn't mean you can just carry a long gun in your vehicle anywhere and everywhere now. If firearms are prohibited in some specific location (like parks) then they are still prohibited and the new law doesn't bypass that and allow you to carry them there.

Just as if a business had a 39-17-1359 posted at the enrtance to it's parking lots, you couldn't legaly take your long gun on the property just because of the new law.