Parking Lot carry exemption

[Warbird]

I don't understand why TN Dept Mot. Vehicles can't make it to where when a LEO runs a license plate, it shows in the computers whether they are an HCP Holder or a NON-HCP Holder? How hard would that be? I think it would be much safer for the police officer to know before he ever steps foot outside of the vehicle.

Seems like there's still lot's of bugs to be worked out with all of this carry permit stuff.

So do you only drive one vehicle? Do you ever drive a vehicle registered in someone else's name? Does anyone else drive your vehicle, who isn't an HCP holder? Do some HCP holders drive company vehicles?

[Guest WyattEarp]

So do you only drive one vehicle? Do you ever drive a vehicle registered in someone else's name? Does anyone else drive your vehicle, who isn't an HCP holder? Do some HCP holders drive company vehicles?

yes I only drive one vehicle. rarely, but sometimes if it's necessary I will. I don't proclaim to have all the answers either. DL + HCP + License Plate should at the least reflect in the computer system that a person has an HCP.

however that said, with most HCP's being law abiding citizens in the first place, I'm not really sure why it would concern a police officer in the first place? seems a bit of paranoia. Criminals aren't going to take the time to get an HCP, they're just going to carry whether it's legal or not, Law abiding citizens typically aren't looking to start trouble, much rather just be prepared to deal with it if it comes there way.

[Fallguy]

I don't understand why TN Dept Mot. Vehicles can't make it to where when a LEO runs a license plate, it shows in the computers whether they are an HCP Holder or a NON-HCP Holder? How hard would that be? I think it would be much safer for the police officer to know before he ever steps foot outside of the vehicle.

Seems like there's still lot's of bugs to be worked out with all of this carry permit stuff.

My son's truck is in his name and mine. I have a HCP and he doesn't...how would that work? If they want to take the time, they can already take the name they get when they run the tag, run the name and see if that person has a HCP...but again that doesn't mean the registered owner is the person driving the vehicle. I have let my daughter drive my truck, she doesn't have a HCP. I have drove other people's vehicles, running their tag isn't going to tell them that the driver (me) has a HCP.

[RobertNashville]

Frankly, I don't see how connecting the HCP to a vehicle license tag is of any benefit to anyone...the people police officer NEED to be concerned with (and whether there is a weapon in the vehicle) are not the law-abiding HCP holder but the folks (meaning criminals/thugs/etc.) who carry without an HCP...those who carry specifically to do bad, illegal things...such folks don't get HCPs even if they could qualify for one just like they don't go to FFL dealers to buy their illegally possessed weapons.

[Guest pfries]

I'd rather see a bill that will do, basically, the same thing but worded a little differently. Rather than coming from the angle of 'employers must allow firearms in cars in their parking lots', which will be argued against based on 'property owners' rights', I'd like to see a bill that would make the interior of our vehicles the legal equivalent of our homes. In other words, the interior of our vehicle is our private property and, by state law, we have sole authority to determine what is in there regardless of where the vehicle is parked. This way, there shouldn't need to be different bills for school parking lots, etc. Worded correctly, such a law could also make it legal to have a loaded firearm in one's vehicle without the need for a permit, which some other states already allow.

I really don't think any bill would say something to the effect that the inside of your car is like your home.

I think more than likely what would happen (if anything) is simply an exception added to 39-17-1308 for a private vehicle.

However I don't think that alone would address the vehicle being on another's private property, so would still need a parking lot exception bill.

I Would love to see this however if they declare your car to be the equivalent of your home it would open up a whole new argument as you don’t need a permit to carry at home. I would be afraid that at this juncture it would stall the bill.

That would help those with a HCP and I would like to see it passed as well. However would also like to see possession in a private vehicle allowed without a HCP.

Fallguy, (and this is a question as you are very up on this stuff) Do you feel we have the support in office right now to get something of this nature through?

My son's truck is in his name and mine. I have a HCP and he doesn't...how would that work? If they want to take the time, they can already take the name they get when they run the tag, run the name and see if that person has a HCP...but again that doesn't mean the registered owner is the person driving the vehicle. I have let my daughter drive my truck, she doesn't have a HCP. I have drove other people's vehicles, running their tag isn't going to tell them that the driver (me) has a HCP.

I have to agree here as we have three vehicles in the family and I may drive one more regularly, but not always and my sister-in-law does not have her HCP.

I can see it potentially being attached to a DL or ID just like a CDL and endorsements sometime in the future.

[Fallguy]

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Fallguy, (and this is a question as you are very up on this stuff) Do you feel we have the support in office right now to get something of this nature through?

Worriedman probably has more contact with the legislators, but my feeling is No. Even with Republicans in the majority in both chambers and a republican Governor, there doesn't seem to be any desire to address anything firearms related.

[Worriedman]

I agree Fallguy, this off election year was set to show the world that Tennessee Republicans had no connection to the Firearms advocates. The State of Tennessee Republican party, connected as it is to the Nation Party through Alexander and ex Governor Winfield Dunn strove mightily this session to distance itself from 2nd Amendment advocates, and tried to show Big Business that they had their interest at heart. That Conservative grassroots endeavors was the least of the Republicans focus was meant to position itself as far to the Moderate position as possible. They can now point to the year as giving the Constitutional Conservatives the cold shoulder, in a year where it was not important to seek their support.

They will remind us, we lost no ground, and we should be happy with that.

Their perception is, that the redneck working stiff has a short memory span, and if next year they can trot out support of an issue or two that panders to the interest of the great unwashed, they can garner support for their elections again, then so be it. They fully lined up behind every issue that was fostered by Corporate sponsorship, and surely the dimwitted gun owners will take a full year of non support as OK as long as the year we pull the tabs in the ballot box, they at least promise to support our issues. As long as we are willing to suffer another few years of them working on the issue they purport to champion, and we are willing to send our dollars to their efforts, then everything is fine.

I have discussed this with real supporters of our issues, and they are as mystified and disenfranchised as am I. Their numbers are few, as Legislators who really take our interest as important. The ones who understand the reality of politics tell me till the numbers of calls, letters, visits and dollars increase on behalf of our cause, we are beating our chest to no avail. Attention and money talks and BS walks.