Question on Open Carry in TN

[Guest TankerHC]

Already checked opencarry.org, doesnt say much about TN.

Since I will be moving there soon thought I would ask. Is a permit required for OC in TN?

Does TN have Castle Doctrine? Does it extend to your vehicle?

[dralarms]

Permit is required for any carry of a firearm.

We have the castle doctrine, and yes I beleive it does extend to your vehicle. That said, you can't shoot someone breaking in your car if you are not in it.

[Guest Torrin]

Permit is required for any carry of a firearm.

We have the castle doctrine, and yes I beleive it does extend to your vehicle. That said, you can't shoot someone breaking in your car if you are not in it.

It does extend to your vehicle and any residence that you are an invited guest to.

[Superman]

But you cant have a loaded firearm in your vehicle without a permit

[1gewehr]

TN does not have a 'concealed carry' permit like most states. In TN, we have a 'handgun carry' permit. This is what allows you to legally carry a hangun, openly or concealed. Without the permit, you may not legally carry a loaded handgun. TN has reciprocity with 34 states.

TN law is kind of strange on firearms. Our law forbids carrying a weapon 'for the purpose of going armed', except for handguns with a permit. That silly phrase is not clearly defined. So there is a lot of ambiguity there. But, if the firearm is not loaded, and you don't have ammo on your person, then you are probably OK.

[Grunt67]

TN does not have a 'concealed carry' permit like most states. In TN, we have a 'handgun carry' permit. This is what allows you to legally carry a hangun, openly or concealed. Without the permit, you may not legally carry a loaded handgun. TN has reciprocity with 34 states.

TN law is kind of strange on firearms. Our law forbids carrying a weapon 'for the purpose of going armed', except for handguns with a permit. That silly phrase is not clearly defined. So there is a lot of ambiguity there. But, if the firearm is not loaded, and you don't have ammo on your person, then you are probably OK.

"If" I remember correctly, the Legislature is trying to more clearly define the phrase, "for the

purpose of going armed". Not sure where this is in the process, or if it will get anywhere, but

like you said, it is pretty much open to interpretation. Not unusual to have many interpretations

on the side of the road in a traffic stop.

In reply to the OP question, Open carry is perfectly legal in TN, tho it's not encouraged in some

circles ( hope this doesn't start the standard debate here ).

No permit, no carry, open, concealed. Just get the permit, not that difficult.

[1gewehr]

"If" I remember correctly, the Legislature is trying to more clearly define the phrase, "for the

purpose of going armed". Not sure where this is in the process, or if it will get anywhere, but

like you said, it is pretty much open to interpretation. Not unusual to have many interpretations

on the side of the road in a traffic stop.

This is one of many issues that TFA is trying to get resolved. This one has little traction this session. Expect it to be a more visible issue next year after we clean out a few more RINOs and anti-gun Democrats.

[Oh Shoot]

But you cant have a loaded firearm in your vehicle without a permit

But if you justifiably shoot someone, you won't be charged the having it in car without the permit.

Welcome to the Patron State of Gray Gun Laws.

- OS

[DaveTN]

But if you justifiably shoot someone, you won't be charged the having it in car without the permit.

Welcome to the Patron State of Gray Gun Laws.

But if you don’t shoot someone and the weapon is discovered, the only gray area will be whether or not the Officer wants to use his discretion on whether or not to arrest you on a weapons charge. And then whether he wants to make it a misdemeanor arrest or a felony.

[Oh Shoot]

But if you don’t shoot someone and the weapon is discovered, the only gray area will be whether or not the Officer wants to use his discretion on whether or not to arrest you on a weapons charge. And then whether he wants to make it a misdemeanor arrest or a felony.

Unlawful possession or carry is a felony "at his discretion" just how? It's not even at a DA's "discretion".

Edited March 25, 2012 by OhShoot

[Oh Shoot]

dang, again

Edited March 25, 2012 by OhShoot

[Guest Darthlaidher]

You can transport them as long as they are unloaded right? Surely you can transport them without a permit.

[LagerHead]

You can transport them as long as they are unloaded right? Surely you can transport them without a permit.

Yes. Just keep the gun and ammo separate.

[Guest Darthlaidher]

Yes. Just keep the gun and ammo separate.

Can you have loaded mags or do they have to be unloaded as well?

[Guest bkelm18]

Can you have loaded mags or do they have to be unloaded as well?

It's generally accepted that the magazines have to be unloaded as well.

[Guest Darthlaidher]

It's generally accepted that the magazines have to be unloaded as well.

That sucks, but still not as bad as what i'm use to. I'm use to CA law where they consider a loaded mag not part of the gun if its out of the gun itself. Glad I asked about it though.

Edited June 27, 2012 by Darthlaidher

[Guest bkelm18]

That sucks, but still not as bad as what i'm use to.

Just get your permit already.

[Guest Darthlaidher]

Just get your permit already.

I plan on it but right now I don't have the extra cash to spare. Bills,Bills,Bills.. UGH lol.

[JAB]

It's generally accepted that the magazines have to be unloaded as well.

I thought that it doesn't matter if the ammo is in a mag or not as long as any ammo (including that in loaded mags) is separated from the firearm. Yep, Gray Firearms Laws, for sure.

[Guest bkelm18]

I thought that it doesn't matter if the ammo is in a mag or not as long as any ammo (including that in loaded mags) is separated from the firearm. Yep, Gray Firearms Laws, for sure.

I think the law specifically mentions magazines.

[Oh Shoot]

I thought that it doesn't matter if the ammo is in a mag or not as long as any ammo (including that in loaded mags) is separated from the firearm. Yep, Gray Firearms Laws, for sure.

Definition of unloaded, says no loaded mags anywhere, no mags period in vicinity of guns.

To my knowledge, this is never enforced, but it is in the statute as part of the defense of unlawful carry due to unloaded firearm.

- OS