Smokey Mountans Park CCW?

[walnutred]

Taking the family to the Smokeys this summer on vacation. I have an Ohio and PA ccw permits. I know TN recognizes the Ohio permit at least but are there any quirks I need to know about TN law? Specifically automobile carry. In Ohio and Ky I can CCW in my auto, is that legal in TN as well?

I'll contact the Park before I leave for current regulating but what is the status there regarding CCW now? The web sites I found have not been updated recently.

 

[walnutred]

Taking the family to the Smokeys this summer on vacation. I have an Ohio and PA ccw permits. I know TN recognizes the Ohio permit at least but are there any quirks I need to know about TN law? Specifically automobile carry. In Ohio and Ky I can CCW in my auto, is that legal in TN as well?

I'll contact the Park before I leave for current regulating but what is the status there regarding CCW now? The web sites I found have not been updated recently.

 

[dirtygrunt95]

You are good to carry in your car with a valid permit. It was misinformation about obama's halting of bush's policy's affecting ccw in national parks. So as long as your permit is recognized in that state you're still good.

 

[mrwildroot]

I would suggest you check the state rules for "duty to notify" if you are carrying, and are stopped by LEO.
I know NC is VERY serious about immediate notification of valid permit, and wherabouts of your firearm(s).
I present my permit along with my DL. They will then ask or tell me what to do next. My experience has been very positive using this method.
Hope you have a great time!
MW

 

[walnutred]

Originally posted by mrwildroot:
I would suggest you check the state rules for "duty to notify" if you are carrying, and are stopped by LEO.
I know NC is VERY serious about immediate notification of valid permit, and wherabouts of your firearm(s).
I present my permit along with my DL. They will then ask or tell me what to do next. My experience has been very positive using this method.
Hope you have a great time!
MW

Ohio is that way too, so it's what I'm used to.

 

[OHIOUP]

I think unloaded and in plain view or secured in commercial gun case anywhere in the vehicle is what I've read for TN.

 

[mrwildroot]

We have Concealed Weapons Permits.
mw

 

[OHIOUP]

I found the information I posted at http://www.usacarry.com/ but that may indeed, apply to non permit holders...I haven't looked real hard for the official chapter & verse at the TN dept. of safety website so I'm not sure...I just read several replies to the car carry question on some forums which say concealed carry in the car is OK with valid license....makes sense but it's good to be certain. I'm heading through KY, TN, VA to NC next week so I am researching the variations in concealed carry law in those places....

 

[mrwildroot]

http://www.handgunlaw.us/

mw

 

[TNDixieGirl]

There is no requirement to notify. And carry on your person in your car is allowed as long as you have a valid permit. No need to unload and put in a storage box or anything like that.

TN isn't a "concealed" carry state. You can open carry if you choose to do so, but not in the Smoky Mountain park itself. I don't ever open carry simply because it's not comfortable to me.

 

[OHIOUP]

I've been using the link provided by mrwildroot,and other websites to research KY, VA, TN & NC. What I find difficult is locating exact statutory reference to vehicle carry standards. Ohio had one set of rules for vehicle carry from 2004 until 2007 and another set since so I know differences exist from state to state. The USA carry site gives ccw info by state but it appears that the portion concerning vehicles refers to transport by those without cc licenses. Like my fellow Ohioan, Walnutred, I just want to be sure I don't miss some important legal variable as I travel through or spend time in these states. Thanks to TNDixieGirl for her reassurance. I have alot to learn.

 

[mrwildroot]

Complements to both you and Walnutred.
I look forward to your final reports on this sometimes confusing issue.
MW

 

[TNDixieGirl]

You are correct in saying those without valid permits must carry the unloaded handgun and the ammunition in separate areas of the vehicle (i.e. handgun in console, ammo in trunk OR ammo in glovebox, empty handgun in a locked carry case).

Here's the TN codes if you want to read up on them. Click the TN Codes folder, then choose Title 39, then Chapter 17, then Part 13.

http://www.michie.com/tennessee/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp=

 

[gr8AmericanBash]

Originally posted by mrwildroot:
We have Concealed Weapons Permits.
mw

Actually, in NC it is a Concealed Handgun License. Only authorizes handguns, not all weapons.

 

[walnutred]

The Tenn. national Park/National Forrest thing seem confusing to me. From what I can tell CCW is OK in National Parks but not OK in a National Forrest? How do you know which you are in?

 

[mrwildroot]

Actually, in NC it is a Concealed Handgun License. Only authorizes handguns, not all weapons.

I got up and pulled out my wallet to check:
Across the top it states"
"North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit"

You are correct that NC, unlike some states, doesn't allow the permit to grant "all weapons" status.

Last time i checked, we have reciprosity with 38 other loyal states in the union.

mw

 

[Bobwtn]

Since you are web savy, search and find if any, the Smokey Mountain Park's website. I am in W. Tn, we have state parks and I can not carry in them, other than maybe in my car and that can be debated depending on which officer you meet. Last time I was there, most of the things to see, you can do from your car, town of Gatlinburg is the hot spot and much to do in Dolly's home town just down the road. Traffic will be very congested!

 

[OHIOUP]

Thanks for the link TNDixieGirl. I have been through that and still don't find verbage that tells permit holders how to carry in the vehicle. I find info on the law for transport without a permit...I guess it is called a concealed carry permit/license for a reason. If you have one, you carry the handgun concealed on your person while in the car. Is there any restriction on carrying into a highway rest stop?

 

[OHIOUP]

Walnutred, I think National Forests have allowed concealed carry all along. They are administerd by the US dept. of Agriculture. National parks and national wildlife preserves are administered by the dept. of Interior. Hopefully the new regulations allowing license/permit holders to carry in those places will stand. It is clear that state park carry in TN is a no-no.

 

[mrwildroot]

There is an exception to the no firearms in federal building policy. That one exclusion is rest stops along interstate highways. With a valid permit/license, you are allowed to carry into the rest stop areas.
mw