Someone is misguided here. I have HUNTED, in National Forest for over 30 years. This is a mute point, far as I know. As far as TN State Parks, they are working on this as we speak.
Smokey Mountans Park CCW?
- Thread starter walnutred
- Start date
Huniting is usually not the same as CCW though. the site provided by mrwildroot is the one I found the confusing information on. If you look at the USOfflimits ling under Tenn you'll see what I mean. US park carry is subject to state restrictions from my understanding. This site lists US Forests as off limits for CCW in Tenn.
Navigating the variations in concealed carry legalities from state to state is tedious work.
Apparently the primary laws governing weapons in national forests are the state laws where the NF is located. If it's OK with the state it's OK in the nat'l forest. Since TN does not allow CC in state, county or municipal recreation areas, I'd guess it's not OK in the nat'l forests located in TN. I think walnutred may be correct on this. However, I think the new rules regarding national parks allow ccw even where the park is located in a state which forbids state park ccw.
Apparently the primary laws governing weapons in national forests are the state laws where the NF is located. If it's OK with the state it's OK in the nat'l forest. Since TN does not allow CC in state, county or municipal recreation areas, I'd guess it's not OK in the nat'l forests located in TN. I think walnutred may be correct on this. However, I think the new rules regarding national parks allow ccw even where the park is located in a state which forbids state park ccw.
....so if you are driving on US route 40 heading east from Knoxville, TN with a destination of Asheville, NC. This route will take you through the Cherokee National Forest in TN. Do you stop before you enter the NF and unload, break down, lockup etc? Seems that's what the law requires.
Bobwtn
Member
As a resident of TN all my life, 9 yrs. a LEO in the 70's, if you purpose is to drive through, get few pictures, and leave the pistol in the car and out of sight, like a console, probably no problem. Most officers are reasonable and as long as you are not walking around with hogleg on (That would be Southern for Big Gun), most "reasonable officers" will not go wacky. Course you might meet that "By the Book" officer that every dept. has. I have worked with the By the Book types and they lack all common sense. I go to TN parks and camp. I have a J frame in the console and it stays there. In our parks, they are reasonable safe and I just carry a little pepper spray on my person. In my 56 yrs on the earth, I have had a bullet come my direction once, when I was a LEO, thereafter, never had much problem ever and I have had a CC permit in TN for 12 yrs.
TNDixieGirl
Member
That's because there is no "requirement" of how to carry it, whether in a car or not. This is an open carry state. We do not have "Concealed Carry" permits. We have Handgun Carry Permits. If you want to carry it on a string around your neck while in the car, that's allowed. Stupid thing to do in my opinion, but not against the law in TN. Carry it in your console, on your person, or on your wife's head....it's all ok.
The Highlander
Member
Hey Ohio guy, don't overthink this. They have pretty much given you the answer. Come on down, your welcome to carry in your car with a valid permit.
Oh yes, one other thing to several of you...Smoky is spelled just like that...no "E" in Smoky Mountains!
The Highlander
Oh yes, one other thing to several of you...Smoky is spelled just like that...no "E" in Smoky Mountains!
The Highlander
TNDixieGirl
Member
This is correct. You may carry in the Smoky Mountains Park, but only concealed, per the Federal regulations.
Walnutred brought up the national forest issue and that led me to investigate Nat'l forest firearms policy. Lo and behold I had been operating under the false assumption that all federal forests allow concealed carry....federal code trumps state code, I thought..... But,at least where weapons are concerned, state code is primary in fedral forest lands. I'm glad I spent time investigating and thinking about this now rather than after getting stopped by "Officer By the Book" in Cherokee NF." Thanks to all for the good information and advice. I'll be driving through eastern tennesse on Friday without a worry in the world. Now where did I put my wife's head holster???
The Highlander
Member
Ohio,
What route are you taking if I may ask?
The Highlander
What route are you taking if I may ask?
The Highlander
The fastest most direct route from our part of Ohio to Hendersonville, NC is route 23 all the way until it turns into US 26 after leaving western VA and entering TN. Taking US 75 south to Knoxville and taking 40 east to NC adds an hour to the trip so we only use that route if we want to visit the Smokies.
Bobwtn
Member
Ohioup, I can see this issue has been something stress inducing. Maybe when you retire, you just need to move to TN where we are a bit laid back and respect a man's right to have, hold and carry.
Hope you have a good trip and enjoy the sights. I have been to the other side of my state about 20 times, always nice to see the beauty of God's creations. Oh, don't feed the bears!
Hope you have a good trip and enjoy the sights. I have been to the other side of my state about 20 times, always nice to see the beauty of God's creations. Oh, don't feed the bears!
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