Open carry in TN for non recidents

[TienLungTaoist]

Hello TN residents. Im from Florida but I have land up in Grundy county TN. I saw that open carry is legal in TN if you have a CCW licence. I do have the licence and it has reciprocity in TN. In FL we do not have the right to open carry but I was wondering if I could open carry when I come up for vacation in TN. I dont really want to open carry but both my dad and I will be up there soon to do some work on our land, we will be traveling back and forth to the hardware store in town and wanted to know if we had to conceal each time we got in the truck or if we could just keep them in our holsters open carry. We both have S&W 629's and going from open carry to IWB is quite a task just to drive down the road. The law is not clear if out of state residents have to only conceal but we dont want to get in trouble for carrying openly. If anyone can offer info on the specifics on it or any place I can contact to know for sure, that would be great. the town is small and we are unfamiliar faces so I dont want scare anyone but people openly carry and I want to know if we can too. Working in the woods in a IWB 629 Classic with a 6.5" barrel is not comfortable but we dont want to be unarmed in a hardware store in a town we dont know too much about. We have been warned of groups of thugs harassing innocent (tourist) families I guess until we settle we are tourist so no carry is not an option. any info will be much appreciated. I dont want this to turn into an open or concealed carry discussion, just need the fact. If you must know I prefer concealed but in this case open would be great. Thanks in advanced for the help.

 

[oldman45]

I suggest calling (615) 251-8590 and ask them. Asking here may result in over 40 different answers and none of them could be correct. It is always best to ask those that wrote and enforce the law.

 

[bubbiesdad]

If you travel to another State with a carry license, you are required to follow all the laws of that State. My suggestion would be to get a reliable OWB holster that holds the gun close, and wear an untucked shirt with a long tail. How I do it in TN. Comfort and concealment. I always wear an undershirt, and sometimes a prtinted T shirt second layer, so all the buttons don't have to be used.

 

[Nimble Jack B.]

Yes you can open carry here in Tennessee.

No. Neither Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1351, nor any other statute governing the carrying of firearms, requires the holder of a handgun carry permit to carry the handgun in a concealed manner.

LINK: TN Attorney General 3 Page Opinion

Enjoy your stay...

 

[TienLungTaoist]

Thanks for the responses. I will most likely do what bubbiesdad recommended, its just good to be able to have it get marked or seen and not be accused of breaking the law. Like I said we are new to town and I dont want to upset the local police with a misunderstanding of the law on our part.

 

[oldafsp]

If you open carry, expect to be asked to show your permit.

Some officers will ask you to surrender your weapon while they
verify who you are. A out state permit is good for 6 months in TN if establishing residency.

In some areas you may find it's better to carry concealed. As a general rule, TN is a very gun friendly state.

Beware of entering any private business or establishment that has posted a restriction on weapons. You will be asked to leave.

Keeping it concealed sometimes is less of a hassle, even for a law abiding citizen.

By the way, open or concealed carry on your own property does not require a permit in TN.

 

[ivarussell]

Hey buddy, welcome to Grundy! I ended up back home via Chicago, the last bastion of anti-gun laws in the nation.
Yep, okay to carry out in the open, but much better to do the shirt thing as mentioned earlier. The mountain folk just need to know you mean business but aren't obnoxious about it...might as well stamp "he ain't from around here" on your forehead. We have some kids that get bored, and some stupid people who need money for drugs, just like any other neighborhood in America. Wouldn't want to be anyplace else in the world.Paradise. Word of warning, just don't disrespect the natives. You really aren't smarter than they are.

 

[TienLungTaoist]

Thanks for the welcome there ivarussel! Love the people in the area there. Honestly some of the most hospitable and loving people. We stay up at some cabins there when we vacation and the lady who rents us the cabin is a saint. Her son has helped us immensely. I agree with you saying its paradise. Havent met a person who wasnt friendly. I conceal carry hear in FL (we have to) but Im really a conceal carry kind of guy. specially in new areas with new people. I dont want my first impression being "the guy who thinks he's a bad ***. Under the radar until people warm up to us. I do want to be well documented on the laws however and knowing that open carry is a possibility I want to know exactly what the law is on that for an out of state CCW.

Oldafsp, Thanks for the heads up. I have some friends who are LEO's and we have gone over some of the things to do in the case of being asked and its just as you say. Here in florida you dont have to unless being detained for a valid reason, is this also true in TN or is it the law to allow the officer to remove the sidearm and show him your licence? I know many people want to hold to their rights and not be detained unless there is valid cause but im a peaceful guy and like making friends not being resistant specially in a new place. Not that there is anything wrong with holding to what you believe and wanting to stand up for your rights, I just prefer to first be seen as a friendly then talk rights. Here in florida its not duty to inform but I still offer my ccw as a "hey im a good guy" card.lol Is tn a "duty to inform state?

 

[oldafsp]

Much of how the officer handles your being armed depends on several factors.

If he stops you for a traffic violation, or asks you for identification, he will automatically know if you have a valid permit in TN.

Permits are issued through the Department of Public Safety and any DL check comes back with the fact that you have a valid permit.

If you are carrying under your home state permit, he will have no way of knowing that, or if you have any permit at all.

If you open carry,you automatically put the officer in the position of you having immediate access to that visible weapon.

The officer is entitled to secure your weapon to insure his own safety. If he/she feels it is appropriate to do so.

This is why I said earlier that open carry in your case, without a valid TN permit is a bad idea. It draws way too much attention to yourself.

Regardless of if you are a law abiding citizen or not. Here it is not uncommon for folks to open carry. Especially on their own property.

Decide how much attention you wish to draw to yourself and go from there.

BTW, you have 6 months from the time you become a resident of TN to get your HCP. With a valid permit from your previous state, you only have to pay the renewal fee of $50, take the state mandated 8 hour course and you will have your permit in 8-12 weeks.

 

[J.Wal]

I am a LEO in Tennessee. ANY time I come in contact with a weapon I remove it from the person and clear it for my safety, check for a license, an if the weapon is stolen.

With a out of state ( FL) license you will be fine. Most LEO will not question another states permit. They will be looking for issue/ expectation dates.

Once the encounter is over, traffic stop, call, or casual encounter I will return the weapon unloaded, sometimes empty the mag, but not always. I do this so it gives me plenty of time to be out of the area when you charge your weapon and have a live weapon. That makes for no confusion. I know you are in armed. I will usually ask the person to wait till I have left the scene before reloading the weapon. On traffic stops I will place the weapon with the owner, and the ammo/ mag in another area of the vehicle, eather back seat, glove box, anything to give me time to be gone before the person charges the weapon.

That's just how I do it.

If you are open carry you will get alot of attention and any LEO that see it will be berry tuned in to your actions, if they dot check you.


J.Wal

 

[Cherokee Slim]

Chances are no one will pay any attention. I don't oc to make a statement. But like you said, back and forth between home & hardware store, gas station, Bilo I've never been questioned. Most people don't even notice or care. It's fairly common to see oc around the Chattanooga area. The teenish checkout girl at Ace Hardware asked if my Colt New Agent was .45 or 9mm. That's the most interest I've ever seen.
Cherokee Slim

 

[FTG-05]

I am a LEO in Tennessee. ANY time I come in contact with a weapon I remove it from the person and clear it for my safety, check for a license, an if the weapon is stolen.

With a out of state ( FL) license you will be fine. Most LEO will not question another states permit. They will be looking for issue/ expectation dates.

Once the encounter is over, traffic stop, call, or casual encounter I will return the weapon unloaded, sometimes empty the mag, but not always. I do this so it gives me plenty of time to be out of the area when you charge your weapon and have a live weapon. That makes for no confusion. I know you are in armed. I will usually ask the person to wait till I have left the scene before reloading the weapon. On traffic stops I will place the weapon with the owner, and the ammo/ mag in another area of the vehicle, eather back seat, glove box, anything to give me time to be gone before the person charges the weapon.

That's just how I do it.

If you are open carry you will get alot of attention and any LEO that see it will be berry tuned in to your actions, if they dot check you.


J.Wal

Excellent example of why I refuse to inform LEOs that I'm armed unless asked. It's simply none of their business. And their safety is somehow more important than mine? Screw that.

 

[J.Wal]

I can promis you that if the officer finds out you are armed and you did not inform them they will not be as easy going about it as if you were to tell them in the beginnig.

And most times when a officer comes in contact with someone with a weapon that had a licens it's a curticy to let them know. It isn't law, but just a curticy. Sorry if I want to make sure I am safe and will make it home to my family. I a officer disarmed you..... Your safety is involved. He officer does not half to worry about you. If you are on a scene armed, that's one more weapon the officer has to worry about if a confrontation occurred between anyone on the scene.

I don't know if you are familiar with the two officers that got killed in west Memphis, Tim warren that just got killed in july, the varginia tech officer that just got killed last week on a traffic stop...... All those were people that ambushed law enforcement. line of duty deaths went up 44% in 2010, all from firearms. So don't be alarmed when a officer takes steps to make sure his/ her scene is safe.

I totally support the 2nd amendment, and the right for people to be able to carry, 100% behind that. But I also Am responsible for me, you,
Anyone else on the scene and the public at all times when on duty. Weather you want me to be responsible for you or not, I am. I don't expect you to change your mind, I don't expect you to understand where I am coming from. I would like you to consider from now on atleast letting the officer know you are armed. Not every officer responds the way I do. But I feel I respond the safest way for me and the person involved.

This is not a personal stab at you or anyone that disagrees with this. Just asking for the curticy. Officers are geting killed more and more by people that shouldn't have guns. Unfortunately I can not look at a person and know that they do not have the intention on harming me or anger problem when idsued a citation.

We, law enforcement and legal citizens are protecting ourself form the same people. But as a officer, I have a target on me because of the job I have. I knew that going into the job, I am not complaining about it, I just ask that you reconsider informing them that you are armed.

 

[FTG-05]

I can promise you that if the officer finds out you are armed and you did not inform them they will not be as easy going about it as if you were to tell them in the beginning.

And this is exactly why I won't inform absent being asked or duty to inform. Here we have an LEO tacitly admitting on an open public forum that he and other LEOs like him deliberately and illegally harass legally carrying law-abiding citizens for exercising their rights. It doesn't get any clearer than this.

[snip]

I totally support the 2nd amendment, and the right for people to be able to carry, 100% behind that.

Your first statement clearly gives lie to this statement.

[snip]

See above, in bold.

 

[J.Wal]

Again, I know alot of officers will not take your weapon at all. I strictly take it to check it to see of it is stolen.


Now, if you are having problems processing this, and can't try and imagine, say you were responsible for a town of people. You are out and come across some guy you have nevr seen. You are saying Hejaz a weapon you wouldn't feel like you need to be aware of that? If this is true and you don't feel you need to be aware of it then NEVER become any type of LE or millitary. You probably would not make it. Someone would take advantage of your trust and you would not make it home.

Like I said before, I don't expect everyone to understand, but no need in calling me a liar.

When al this economic stuff blows up and the government is gone and all that, I will be doing the same as ever other gun owner. Protecting my family and home.


J.Wal

 

[J.Wal]

On statement you are referring to......

You are not breaking any laws by not telling a LE that you are armed, but you are putting them in a situation where it may appear you are possibly hiding something. It is taught in cow class, to advise officers of your weapon, as a pure courticy. By not telling a officer, and them seeing it on there own makes them think worst case scenario right off the bat. That is why a officer will respond in that way. It's not that we don't Like good citizens to be armed, we would just like to know so we can Handel it in a friendly way. If I decide to check someone's weapon that has a cow I am as polite and nice as i would want someone to check me or my grandmother. Even though I am LE, I still got a ccw and hand my DL and ccw ID when I get stopped. I also put both hands on the wheel and advise the officer I have a weapon, first thing as they are walking up. Let's them know. I am armed, I have a licens and I am not there to hurt them. At that point I have had officers take my weapon while they check my DL, ID and all that stuff. I am not offended. I have also. Had/ and myself responded by saying " thanks for letting me know" can I have your DL and HCW.

Do what you wish. There are no laws being broken. But police have a bad wrap somewhat because people do things that cause officers to respond in a protective way that is then taken as rude, or angry. If people would do small things like this, just let them know you are armed, eases the situation. When someone tells me right away I know they are probably not out to do harm to me and are probably all legal.

To me, and other LE it is a safety standard, like at any other job. There are things you want to know while at work before doing a job and every contact with a citizen is another chance a officer could get killed if not looking out for citizens and himself. I am not ashamed of how I greet citizens legally armed, I will do it every time because I know it keeps me going home to my family. If you can't respect that I am sorry. I am going to do everything I can to go home to my family..... As do you when you go to work, and as you are in the public armed protecting yourself, and family.


J.Wal

 

[bigbuckkiller]

I know you dont have to tell the leo that you are armed or have one in your vehicle but i have been stopped once and went through a road block once with a gun right beside me in my truck. Both times i informed the leo before i reached for my license or proof of insurance. Neither time was i asked to hand over the gun they just thanked me for letting them know. Not every cop would act the same way but i wanted them to know rather than them see me reaching near my gun and then see it. I dont want to be looking down there barrel just for trying to get my insurance card. Its not that big of a deal to me I dont know why people think its such a hassle to let them know.

 

[J.Wal]

I don't always respond the way I posted earlier. It all depends on location, person, attitude, and most of all gut feeling. I have thanked them and continued on with business. Don't take it personal. It's just safety.


J.Wal

 

[J.Wal]

Bigbuck, thanks. Just doing that makes tension way lower. And most officers are gun nuts ( hints why I am on gun forums) so they/ I will probably make small talk about it.


J.Wal

 

[son-of-a-gun]

I am a LEO in Tennessee. ANY time I come in contact with a weapon I remove it from the person and clear it for my safety...

Having watched law abiding citizens exercise their 2nd Amendment rights at various gun shows, gun stores and shooting ranges I would do exactly the same if I were a cop.

KUDOS to you.