Permitless Carry in Tennessee in 2011

[JPS]

Break the law? Do they have legal signs at the entrance to the parking lot? Otherwise it's not against the law, you're just risking being fired for having a firearm in the vehicle at work.

I work in a Metro Nashville government building, with a security-gated fence. Signs are posted at the security gate and the building's only entrance. If it was just the risk of being fired I would probably keep my weapon locked in my truck, but it's not worth the risk of losing my permit.

[Guest 270win]

I think I would rather see schools, parks, and the sign law totally changed so that we are not criminals in these areas WITH permits....instead of concentrating on efforts to do away with handgun carry permits.

The school law could be changed so that a handgun carry permit is a defense to prosecution/affirmative defense/exception just like being a LEO is when on school property.

The park law needs to be totally changed too....get rid of this opt out garbage and just make a cleaner law again where a permit is an exception to the general prohibition to not having a weapon in a park....delete all the added garbage that allows cities to opt out.

Delete all the sign law crap totally....there would be no budget changes...easy to do...if nothing else....delete the fine/penalty portion and add language that you can only be charged with trespassing IF you fail to leave when asked...basically take the teeth out of this law.

If you change those three things in TN....you'd have pretty good gun laws here and could carry wherever you wanted without worrying about being fined except in a courtroom during a judicial proceeding.

[Guest pwhphd]

My feeling is that it is sometimes wise to "be careful of what you ask for, you just might get it." In Tennessee we enjoy firearm friendly population and legislature. Our permit policy has some element of minimal gun safety requirement and our permit holders are generally regarded by our piers as being respectful, law abiding citizens. They do not generally regard all gun activity as being safe in every circumstance and environment. As permit holders we do not enjoy the right to go armed everywhere and many of our peers question if going armed in all cases is safe. A VT style [NO PERMIT] policy, in some people's mind, precludes or circumvents safe gun practice and could jepordize with other states and the loss of respect that has been hard earned from non-gun enthusiasts. Those who choose to carry without a permit not only break the law, but become "scofflaws" to the discredit of law abiding gun permit holders. While carrying without a permit may only be a misdemeanor, it can certainly complicate otherwise legal issues when discovered by law officers. Under current Tennessee law a permit holder generally enjoys the status of being presumed to be an informed, armed, and law abiding citizen. With no permit required, the distinction between a handgun enthusiast and a hooligan might be lost. Certainly there are changes we could enjoy, but "too much of even a good thing, can make you sore!"

[Guest strelcevina]

My feeling is that it is sometimes wise to "be careful of what you ask for, you just might get it." In Tennessee we enjoy firearm friendly population and legislature. Our permit policy has some element of minimal gun safety requirement and our permit holders are generally regarded by our piers as being respectful, law abiding citizens. They do not generally regard all gun activity as being safe in every circumstance and environment. As permit holders we do not enjoy the right to go armed everywhere and many of our peers question if going armed in all cases is safe. A VT style [NO PERMIT] policy, in some people's mind, precludes or circumvents safe gun practice and could jepordize with other states and the loss of respect that has been hard earned from non-gun enthusiasts. Those who choose to carry without a permit not only break the law, but become "scofflaws" to the discredit of law abiding gun permit holders. While carrying without a permit may only be a misdemeanor, it can certainly complicate otherwise legal issues when discovered by law officers. Under current Tennessee law a permit holder generally enjoys the status of being presumed to be an informed, armed, and law abiding citizen. With no permit required, the distinction between a handgun enthusiast and a hooligan might be lost. Certainly there are changes we could enjoy, but "too much of even a good thing, can make you sore!"

wise words of wisdom

i read it 3 times in a row and agree 100%, actually make that 1000%

[Guest stmccann]

I work in a Metro Nashville government building, with a security-gated fence. Signs are posted at the security gate and the building's only entrance. If it was just the risk of being fired I would probably keep my weapon locked in my truck, but it's not worth the risk of losing my permit.

EXCELLENT reason to support permit-less carry. They can't take something away from you that you don't have to beg for in the first place....

In Liberty -

Sean

[Guest stmccann]

My feeling is that it is sometimes wise to "be careful of what you ask for, you just might get it." In Tennessee we enjoy firearm friendly population and legislature. Our permit policy has some element of minimal gun safety requirement and our permit holders are generally regarded by our piers as being respectful, law abiding citizens. They do not generally regard all gun activity as being safe in every circumstance and environment. As permit holders we do not enjoy the right to go armed everywhere and many of our peers question if going armed in all cases is safe. A VT style [NO PERMIT] policy, in some people's mind, precludes or circumvents safe gun practice and could jepordize with other states and the loss of respect that has been hard earned from non-gun enthusiasts. Those who choose to carry without a permit not only break the law, but become "scofflaws" to the discredit of law abiding gun permit holders. While carrying without a permit may only be a misdemeanor, it can certainly complicate otherwise legal issues when discovered by law officers. Under current Tennessee law a permit holder generally enjoys the status of being presumed to be an informed, armed, and law abiding citizen. With no permit required, the distinction between a handgun enthusiast and a hooligan might be lost. Certainly there are changes we could enjoy, but "too much of even a good thing, can make you sore!"

1st thing - gotta learn how to break up quotes.

#1 - Our permit policy has some element of minimal gun safety requirement and our permit holders are generally regarded by our piers as being respectful, law abiding citizens. They do not generally regard all gun activity as being safe in every circumstance and environment.

I really don't care how my legislators 'regard' me - and I don't care how they 'regard' gun activity. Safety depends on the individual. Legislation cannot make someone safe.

#2 - A VT style [NO PERMIT] policy, in some people's mind, precludes or circumvents safe gun practice and could jepordize with other states and the loss of respect that has been hard earned from non-gun enthusiasts.

Anti-gunners don't care about safety statistics or crime statistics whatever. They have a negative emotional reaction to our beliefs and use the force of government to control others, because they have not the nuts to do it themselves. Nothing we do or don't do will earn their respect, and frankly I don't need anyone's respect except for family and friends. Vermont and Alaska do not seem to have any issues, and likely Arizona will not. Doesn't matter to these folks.

#3 - Those who choose to carry without a permit not only break the law, but become "scofflaws" to the discredit of law abiding gun permit holders. While carrying without a permit may only be a misdemeanor, it can certainly complicate otherwise legal issues when discovered by law officers. Under current Tennessee law a permit holder generally enjoys the status of being presumed to be an informed, armed, and law abiding citizen. With no permit required, the distinction between a handgun enthusiast and a hooligan might be lost.

Crimes have victims. Carrying a weapon, without regard to statute, victimizes no one. If there are less laws, there are less chances to complicate legal issues. I may enjoy a status by law, but if I am put on my face and threatened before my special government issued status is discovered, I was still threatened and endangered without cause. Perhaps we should focus less on the tools people choose to carry, and the actual actions. Hooligans act like hooligans, honorable men act as such, even when carrying a rocket launcher into a bar.

Apologies for the quote mess. Will learn when time allows....

In Liberty.

Sean

[Guest stmccann]

Well that sucked.

Sean

[Oh Shoot]

Well that sucked.

Sean

Helluva lesson all right.

you have end quote tag at beginning of section.

- OS