I've read and read and still not sure

[Glenn]

I have gone back and read several old threads about this and seem to get conflicting information. Can I or can't I carry in a boat on Norris lake? I've seen that TWRA say's yes, TVA says no then we throw in federal COE rules. Does any one know for sure?

[Oh Shoot]

ON the lake is clearcut, it is a navigable waterway, no different than a highway.

TVA has rights to shoreline rightaway, has stated in letters posted here and there that they don't interfere with legal carry at boat ramps and undeveloped property on shoreline, but their own parks and campgrounds they post. TVA dams themselves I believe are considered federal buildings, meaning the actual enclosed part of operations and visitor centers (which are by federal law also supposed to be posted).

Here's a quote I saved, but the link has moved so can't point to it. This is from handgunlaw.us.

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"Firearms on Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA Property)

4. Firearms and Weapons - TVA campgrounds may receive use by hunters during hunting season. While firearms and weapons are generally prohibited, possession of firearms and other weapons associated with in-season hunting excursions are permissible if they are unloaded and properly cased. Possession of firearms at TVA public ramps, associated roads, and parking areas are allowed if the possession complies with the law of the state where the boat ramp is located and is not otherwise prohibited by law.

Note: Day Use Areas, Campgrounds, and other developed recreational TVA lands are still off limits. TVA lands where Hunting is presently allowed, Undeveloped Shorelines, Boat Ramps, Boat Ramp Parking Areas and Associated Roads for those areas is where carry will be allowed."

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TWRA of course has no authority over HCP handgun carry.

COE is really the only stickler, as is "federal property" but not national park, and still technically no carry. They are the operating authority over locks at the TVA dams, as I understand it. However, at least Land Between The Lakes has stated they don't interfere with legal carry:

This is somewhere on LBL.org, as quoted in the KY section of handgunlaw.us:

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"Below is the information LE&I provides to the public in regards to possessing firearms at LBL NRA: 1. Possession of firearms is prohibited except during legal firearms hunting seasons by licensed hunters and going to and from the LBL NRA firearms range. Firearms must be cased and unloaded during transport. 2. Firearms possessed during legal hunting seasons by licensed hunters must be cased and unloaded (chamber + magazine) while being transported in a motorized vehicle. 3. LBL LE&I also states that the concealed firearms carry permit does not apply to LBL NRA at this time, although the LE officers at LBL will honor the concealed carry permit if there are no other aggravating circumstances. 5. Examples of aggravating circumstances are, but not limited to, violation of the concealed carry permit itself, shooting from a roadway, or shooting outside of the LBL firearms rangeâ€.

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In short, carrying concealed with a permit, I myself wouldn't worry about it anyplace a sportsman would go, and once on the water wouldn't worry about it period.

Notes:

- none of the above means you can legally discharge a firearm any particular place mentioned above.

- I don't open carry.

- I am not a lawyer, and will have enough trouble affording my own bail if any of the above is in error.

- OS

Edited October 14, 2012 by OhShoot

[Dolomite`s Breezy]

I carry at Norris.. and we do go down on to the shore with our horses.. Not sure if that constitutes ON the water..lol

I was there today riding and it was packed with people.. on and off the water...

[Glenn]

Thank. we will be on the water and won't be using a public ramp. so carry it is. if I have any trouble I will just tell them OhShoot said it was ok.

[Oh Shoot]

Thank. we will be on the water and won't be using a public ramp. so carry it is. if I have any trouble I will just tell them OhShoot said it was ok.

Public ramps are okay, too.

And yeah, that'll impress them right out of their socks.

- OS

Edited October 14, 2012 by OhShoot

[Glenn]

Public ramps are okay, too.

And yeah, that'll impress them right out of their socks.

- OS

I thought it would.