Legal max pistol barrel length.

[oh58driver]

[font=Helvetica][size=3]
I’m thinking of getting an AR pistol and then converting it to an SBR. That way I can play with it while waiting for the form 1 to process. I’ve stumbled upon one statement about the maximum barrel length of a pistol in TN but cannot find any solid information. Is an AR pistol with a 11.5” barrel legal in TN.[/size][/font][font=Helvetica][size=3]
Thanks[/size][/font]

[Oh Shoot]

[quote name='oh58driver' timestamp='1352065824' post='839041']

[font=Helvetica][size=3]I’m thinking of getting an AR pistol and then converting it to an SBR. That way I can play with it while waiting for the form 1 to process. I’ve stumbled upon one statement about the maximum barrel length of a pistol in TN but cannot find any solid information. Is an AR pistol with a 11.5” barrel legal in TN.[/size][/font]
[font=Helvetica][size=3]Thanks[/size][/font]
[/quote]

TCA 39-11-106 says:

"Handgun" means any firearm with a barrel length of less than twelve inches (12'') that is designed, made or adapted to be fired with one (1) hand;

- OS

[oh58driver]

There it is! Thanks.

[R_Bert]

[quote name='OhShoot' timestamp='1352066411' post='839052']
TCA 39-11-106 says:

"Handgun" means any firearm with a barrel length of less than twelve inches (12'') that is designed, made or adapted to be fired with one (1) hand;

- OS
[/quote]

Uh-oh.

My Thompson Encore Pro-Hunter .308 pistol is illegal. (factory 15" barrel & pistol grip) Edited November 4, 2012 by R_Bert

[gjohnsoniv]

[quote name='R_Bert' timestamp='1352069559' post='839086']
Uh-oh.

My Thompson Encore Pro-Hunter .308 pistol is illegal. (factory 15" barrel & pistol grip)
[/quote]I think there is an exception for those?

[Oh Shoot]

[quote name='R_Bert' timestamp='1352069559' post='839086']
Uh-oh.

My Thompson Encore Pro-Hunter .308 pistol is illegal. (factory 15" barrel & pistol grip)
[/quote]

Well, the good news is, I don't know of any other TCA statute that says owning something that's fits neither "handgun" or "rifle" definition is illegal. As long as it's not a SBR or SBS without tax stamp.

Only thing maybe unlawful about it would be if you tried to pack it with HCP.

[quote name='gjohnsoniv' timestamp='1352071079' post='839098']
I think there is an exception for those?
[/quote]

Federal law has no barrel length in definition for a handgun. Owning a firearm that is "not a handgun" or "not a rifle" by statute definitions doesn't seem to be unlawful in TN.

- OS Edited November 5, 2012 by OhShoot

[Oh Shoot]

nm, added to post above. Edited November 4, 2012 by OhShoot

[deltadreams]

So what are the laws for length on HCP? I was thinking there is a OAL for HCP. Can I carry an AR pistol with a 10.5" barrel as my HCP weapon? (not that it is practical)

[DaveTN]

So what are the laws for length on HCP? I was thinking there is a OAL for HCP. Can I carry an AR pistol with a 10.5" barrel as my HCP weapon? (not that it is practical)

I carried a PLR-16 in my trunk with an HCP. It is made as a pistol. However, there was a big deal over one in Sumner country. If I remember right the case was clouded with a drug issue and the guy made a plea, but the DA said it was a SBR.

Of course now it’s been changed that you can carry a rifle in your vehicle with an HCP as long as a round is not chambered. So, in your vehicle isn’t really an issue anymore.

39-11-106 is just Definitions, not something you would be charged for. You would need some other statue to look at.

Since you live in Sumner County I wouldn’t trust anything I didn’t hear from the DA’s Office.

[deltadreams]

I think the drug and felons in the car definitely clouded the issue. I carry my AR pistol with a 10.5 barrel with me, but I keep the chamber empty because it is out of reach most of the time. Thanks for the response. 

[nightrunner]

Nevermind Edited January 2, 2013 by nightrunner