Taking pistol to gun range

[knox]

I know the gun is supposed to be visible, magazines unloaded and ammunition in the trunk or something when going to the range without a carry permit.

My question is this. By "visible", does that mean outside of it's case, naked gun sitting in my back seat or something like that?

Thanks!

[Oh Shoot]

I know the gun is supposed to be visible, magazines unloaded and ammunition in the trunk or something when going to the range without a carry permit.

My question is this. By "visible", does that mean outside of it's case, naked gun sitting in my back seat or something like that?

Thanks!

There is absolutely nothing about any firearm being "visible" in the TN statutes. Perhaps you have that confused with not "concealed on your person".

The blanket default for possession/transport of all firearms without an HCP is simply:

"....unloaded rifle, shotgun or handgun not concealed on or about the person and the ammunition for the weapon was not in the immediate vicinity of the person or weapon"

There is also:

"...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 or cylinder, and no clip or magazine containing ammunition is inserted in the rifle or shotgun or is in close proximity to both the weapon and any person."

If you can't separate guns/ammo very well, like in pickup cab, it's often advised to have either ammo or guns in locked cases, but that's a judgement call all around.

Certainly, no firearm has to be "visible". Don't keep your heater on you, transport it unloaded, and separate heater and shells.

- OS

Edited October 22, 2012 by OhShoot

[Handsome Rob]

I'm in the same boat. Personally I keep my Glock in the factory box in the cab of the truck, boxes of ammo + magazines are in an ammo box in the bed/toolbox.

[Handsome Rob]

It's probably overkill, but i also leave the slide locked open & safety plug in the breech, just to be 100% sure.

[knox]

Thank you for the replies. I sincerely appreciate it.

[Jesse]

I keep my ammo in my range bag and put the gun in my glove box. If you were to get pulled over and searched, the police would see you are headed to the range and not give you any heat about it.

But without a permit i wouldnt drive with my gun unless i was headed to the range.

[Guest Razz]

FWIW:

I keep ammo in original containers, inside a ziplock bag, inside the glove box.

I keep both pistols in locked, hard-shell cases, inside a drawstring backpack, behind the passenger seat. The pack CANNOT be accessed from the driver's side without damaging the truck. I have to access the area from the passenger side with the door open.

I also keep my targets on the passenger seat, face down. In the event I am pulled over and the weapons are discovered, the targets will hopefully show the LEO what my intentions are.

I don't worry about the drive home because there is a sign-in/out sheet at the range. If I'm pulled over on the way to the range, I can at least show that I am somewhere between home and the range. I never make stops between the home and the range.

...aaaaand, of course, none of this will matter once my HCP arrives in the mail.

[knox]

Getting my permit in the next month hopefully. Thanks for the additional replies.