Tenn Carry - Cars?

Not True. First hand knowledge. I live in Memphis, Tennessee, and well, sort of went beyond the boundaries of the speed limit, for which I was pulled over. Certainly a mistake, I'm sure.

But, before I handed over my license, I advised the police officer that I was armed. He only asked if I had a carry permit, and continued to advise me of my infraction, for which he gave me a ticket.

He did ask, later, what I was carrying, and I told him a .357 Magnum. His eyes did get a little bigger. But, no problem.

My permit says permit to carry, it doesn't specify where no how.

Bob Wright

 

Actually, it is illegal to carry a loaded firearm inside your vehicle if you do not have an HCP or permit from another state that is rcognized by Tennessee.

 

Glock30owner is correct

Handguns may be carried only with a permit. Without a valid Tenn permit, the gun and ammo must be stored separately and not within easy reach.

It is NEVER legal in Tenn to carry a loaded rifle or shotgun in your vehicle, Carry permit or not. Carry permits are only for handguns. However, with you permit, you may carry a loaded handgun in the vehicle or on your person.

There are some restrictions, of course, but if you intend to carry a weapon, DEFINITELY get the permit! Reciprocity with some states does allow local and State LEO's to recognize out of State handgun permits. To see if your State has reciprocity with Tenn, check out Tenn.gov web site.

 

Not sure who published this, but it is in error.

Tennessee does indeed have a "castle doctrine" contrary to what this post says.

Also, no permit is required to carry when hunting, for example.

Tennessee Code Annotated defines carrying a gun "with intent to go armed."

"Intent to go armed" has been defined by the State Supreme Court's decision that "....Not every removal (from the home) constitutes intent to go armed.

I did a considerable amount of research when drafting the handgun hunting laws several years ago, and conferred with the old Tennessee Game And Fish Commission, now Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and state legislators at the time.

Bob Wright

 

Thanks for that added information. I'm not a hunter, so I rarely think of handgun hunting and how laws for carrying apply.

 

New to the forum.

I haven't got my CCL as of yet but work in a very bad part of Nashville.

I often carry a loaded handgun ONLY in my vehicle in case of an incident. I pray I never have to use my weapon in self defense, but if I did, without a CCL, could I face severe criminal charges?

I'm planning on taking the class within 30 days and applying for my permit, but until then I'm concerned about any ramifications of how I'm carrying now.

Thank you for your input here.

 

Actually in Tennessee you can carry a rifle or shotgun in your vehicle with the magazine loaded but not the chamber as long as you have a HCP.

 

TennesseeMan, yes, if you were found to be carrying a loaded weapon in your car, without a HCP, you would almost certainly face criminal charges, whether you used it or not (pulled over for a ticket, etc.). Until you get your carry permit, unload the weapon and keep the gun in one part of the car and the ammo in the trunk (and I mean the trunk - my carry class instructor was a Madison Co. Deputy and explained that without a permit the gun and amma had to be in SEPARATE compartments of the car), or carry a nice knife or pepper spray. I completely understand the feeling that you may need to carry, but carrying without a permit is a very risky proposition.

Lastrebel, you are correct about being able to carry a rifle or shotgun in a car now, but only as of 2010 I believe. So when this post thread was originally posted the info given was accurate, for the time.


Native Memphian here!

 

I kinda figured that. Thanks for the input. Risky I know brother, but I'd rather be judged by twelve than carried by six.

I'm getting the permit ASAP cause I don't want any trouble to which I may lose my carry privilege all together.