TN Open Carry Report

[WCrawford]

I carried at Old Chicago in Smyrna with no incident. Maybe you should write their corporate office.

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[SgtScott31]

I just wanted to report on an incident that just occurred at Old Chicago in Clarksville. I was here two weeks ago with a few friends, and I was run out by the night manager for openly carrying. According to him at the time, the outdated sign on his wall stated that carrying a gun in a bar was illegal, and that I had to leave. Lacking the necessary papers to prove him wrong, I did so. I came back tonight with the current state laws printed out, along with the laws regarding properly posting at the doors if they refused to allow guns in the building. I was told that it didn't matter what the laws were, because if the staff felt threatened, then they could ask the person to leave. The friends I had been about to sit down and eat with do not carry at all, so they don't understand why I am making such a big deal about it, but as I told the manager, I refuse to spend money in a restaurant that refuses my legal rights. I'm sending this from one of my friends tablets in their parking lot, so please forgive any typos, I am not used to these things.

Failing to post the proper signage only keeps you from getting arrested for carrying where prohibited. It doesn't mean they can't kick you out. It's their property. They can do anything they want as far as customers are concerned.

Since Crawford had no issues with carrying in the one in Smyrna a firearms policy may not be clear cut for Old Chicago. Heed his advice and submit something to their corporate office about your experience at the Clarksville location and if there's a company policy. I'm curious since they seem to be franchised if it's left up to the individual locations.

 

[FTNWO]

Just moved to TN from PA

Just moved to TN from PA, where I was very instrumental in advancing OC in my community. For me, the fight started when I was harassed by the local PD for OCing while pushing a baby stroller.... http://forum.pafoa.org/open-carry-144/150159-stroller-stop-ridley-township-pd.html After that, I organized, with the help of Mark Fiorino (I am sure you are familiar with his case), an OC meet-up at an Applebees literally two doors down from the police station. We had over 75 people in attendance and a few media outlets. It was a great success, very well publicized, and took all the heat off for people OCing.

I honestly wished I had come across and read the sticky: "Tennessee Open Carry Report", before moving here. Reading that thread in one sitting had my head spinning and pondering moving to KY. Guess I was too consumed with researching where in TN I wanted to live and looking for land to buy. I am just grateful that I haven't bought land yet and decided to rent. TN has KY beat hands down as far as scenic beauty is concerned and honestly, I am finding myself very torn.

 

[Ken56]

I also am moving to Tenn. from Michigan, a traditional open carry state where it is a constitutionally protected right, to the Dandridge area. We are scheduled to close on our house on monday. The tax advantages over rode the firearm restrictions for me even though I hope to exercise my carry rights when I get my Tenn. permission slip. I am concealing while I am here (have my Mich permission slip) for the time being. I would love to get together with some other OC fellows around the Knoxville area although I am not opposed to a little day trip further out. Tenn. definately needs a little more activity in the OC movement.

 

[FreeInAZ]

@Ken56

Congratulations fellow escapee from SE MI (some areas becoming almost 3rd world like there) - good luck and safe journeys.

 

[xdsc9]

new to site

so guys and gals I'm new to the sight and want to try to build a better group of people in my community of people who open carry or even carry at all. I have carried for years now got my permit at 21 and have carried ever since. carry a Springfield XD 9mm ( as if you couldn't tell from the name) in a sepera holster. just recently started open carrying, hardest part is my wife doesn't approve so i cant all the time. but so far i have had nothing but some funny looks from an older couple at a local restaurant Bad Bobs BBQ, i live in Union City, TN so anyone else in this area speak up and we can meet up some time.

 

[ADulay]

Have been through Tennessee a few times this year, always open carrying, of course and haven't had any problems that I'm aware of.

I saw an earlier post about the Bristol Speedway and I remember that on my trip last month that we stopped at a very nice BBQ place about a mile from the track, all of us open carrying (motorcycle trip) and there was nothing out of place with the restaurant, the other patrons or the staff. Just like every other place we've stopped at for meals, snacks or whatever.

We hit several states (OH, IN, KY, GA, FL) with zero problems with the open carry of our sidearms.

I'll be back in TN at the end of the month to visit for a few days again while headed out to Sturgis and don't expect any problems with it at all.

AD

 

[OngoingFreedom]

Have been through Tennessee a few times this year, always open carrying, of course and haven't had any problems that I'm aware of.

...

We hit several states (OH, IN, KY, GA, FL) with zero problems with the open carry of our sidearms.

...

AD

I hope you only OC'd in FL while you were fishing!

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[KYGlockster]

Just moved to TN from PA, where I was very instrumental in advancing OC in my community. For me, the fight started when I was harassed by the local PD for OCing while pushing a baby stroller.... http://forum.pafoa.org/open-carry-144/150159-stroller-stop-ridley-township-pd.html After that, I organized, with the help of Mark Fiorino (I am sure you are familiar with his case), an OC meet-up at an Applebees literally two doors down from the police station. We had over 75 people in attendance and a few media outlets. It was a great success, very well publicized, and took all the heat off for people OCing.

I honestly wished I had come across and read the sticky: "Tennessee Open Carry Report", before moving here. Reading that thread in one sitting had my head spinning and pondering moving to KY. Guess I was too consumed with researching where in TN I wanted to live and looking for land to buy. I am just grateful that I haven't bought land yet and decided to rent. TN has KY beat hands down as far as scenic beauty is concerned and honestly, I am finding myself very torn.

You've obviously not spent much time in south-eastern Kentucky.

 

[pHaez]

I had my first MWAG experience today. I was at church (Faith Promise Church in Knoxville) where I have carried openly multiple times. I was sitting with my wife when a plain clothed officer tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to come with him. When I stood up, I saw another uniformed officer with him. The uniformed officer placed her hand on my handgun as I followed the plain clothed officer towards the doors leading to the sanctuary exit. After we got outside the sanctuary the uniformed officer removed my handgun and the plain clothed officer asked to see my HCP. Once I handed it to him, he glanced over it for about two seconds, then told the uniformed officer that everything checked out. The plain clothed officer then said "I know you have a permit, but you need to conceal your weapon. You are freaking people out, why do you think we conceal our weapons when we aren't wearing our badges?" I informed him that the law is clear that I can legally openly carry my handgun. The uniformed officer then chimed in "Well, you can't here. And, you need to be responsible and conceal your weapon when you are out and about, because you are frightening people." and then said that I was disturbing the public and she would walk me out so that I could store my handgun in my vehicle. Not having my recorder running, I didn't want to push the matter further.

As I was escorted out, the uniformed officer decided it was a good time to school me about liability if I were to discharge my weapon in self defense (as if it wasn't something that I had been required to learn during the HCP class). She told me that it wouldn't be safe to fire in self defense with over a thousand people in the sanctuary, I would end up injuring our killing an innocent, and then get sued, so I should just leave my weapon in my vehicle for now on. I pointed out that discharging my firearm would only be as a last resort, and that her and any other officer would face the same risk if they were forced to discharge their firearm. Her response was "That is true, but we are trained to reduce the risk associated with firing our weapon, the public doesn't get that training." By this time, we were at my vehicle and she handed my my handgun back, thanked me for cooperating (allowing them to trample my rights and treat me like a child), and walked away.

Needless to say, I now understand more than ever the importance of keeping my recorder running at all times.

 

[Grapeshot]

Not at all sure where the LEO(s) got the idea that they could make the rules on carry in church - color of law?

Think my answer would have been, "No thank you."

 

[Q-Tip]

Please file a formal complaint. Did you get the officers' names?

 

[Madmankrew]

Hello everyone. First post. I OC 99.9% of the time I'm out. About the only time I conceal is if I'm going into a business that I'm not sure is gun friendly. I have been to numerous locations around the Murfreesboro/Smyrna area and have never received what I would consider a bad response. WalMart, Kroger, Publix, Kangaroo, Thorton's......I've had LEO's stand in line with me at stores and have never been approached by one. Some of it may be that law enforcement are becoming more informed to the laws or it could be that they know a criminal isn't going to be carrying a handgun out in the open. On a side note, if you haven't, you all should check out friendorfoe.us. It's a webpage that let's you find businesses that support the 2nd Amendment and one's that don't in your area or across the country. Allows you to add input on your experiences as well. Very useful tool.

 

[pHaez]

Please file a formal complaint. Did you get the officers' names?

Unfortunately I did not get their names. I have since spoke with the Pastor at the church. He has said that they are officers that are hired as security, so I am assuming they were not on duty at the time (which I assume is why the felt that they were allowed to speak the way they did. Though to me, if they are identifying themselves as officers, off duty or not, they shouldn't be able to speak as a representative of the church, and instead be speaking as a representative of the law). He also said that he has no problem with concealed carry, but doesn't want to allow open carry, which is why the property isn't posted.

I then got an email from another pastor at the church that says that they got several complaints from frightened people about a man with a gun, so he had the officers get me and have me lock up my handgun. Apparently hassling somebody that is abiding by the law to comfort people that could care less about the law, or my rights is how they decided to handle the situation Either way, it is their property, and I suppose it is within their rights to make whatever policies they want, just as it is my right to not return.

 

[SgtScott31]

Trampled your rights? File a 1983 claim and let me know how that works out.

Bottom line is that someone from the church called about the gun you were wearing. You were escorted out and the involved officers asked to see your permit to verify that you could legally carry. As the other TN threads have clearly pointed out carrying a firearm is illegal in TN and a defense to that crime is if you have a permit. What the officers did was completely within their authority. Once it was verified you could legally carry they asked you not to openly carry your gun, at the request of someone with the church. Regardless of your status as a permit holder if the church doesn't want you openly carrying a firearm in their building then that's their right. If you don't agree with it find another church.

As far as the officers' actions, completely legal. I have a strong feeling any court(s) (and their superiors) would say the same thing.

 

[papa bear]

Trampled your rights? File a 1983 claim and let me know how that works out.

Bottom line is that someone from the church called about the gun you were wearing. You were escorted out and the involved officers asked to see your permit to verify that you could legally carry. As the other TN threads have clearly pointed out carrying a firearm is illegal in TN and a defense to that crime is if you have a permit. What the officers did was completely within their authority. Once it was verified you could legally carry they asked you not to openly carry your gun, at the request of someone with the church. Regardless of your status as a permit holder if the church doesn't want you openly carrying a firearm in their building then that's their right. If you don't agree with it find another church.

As far as the officers' actions, completely legal. I have a strong feeling any court(s) (and their superiors) would say the same thing.

sorry, it is not their right, but their privilege by law. just because the LEO's superiors think something, doesn't make it right

but i would agree. since this is a church that does believe in the doctrine of Jesus. then i would find one that does. Luke 22: 36

 

[pHaez]

Regardless of your status as a permit holder if the church doesn't want you openly carrying a firearm in their building then that's their right. If you don't agree with it find another church.

Check my last sentence on my latest post...

Either way, it is their property, and I suppose it is within their rights to make whatever policies they want, just as it is my right to not return.

I understand that they can make whatever policies they want. My whole issue is the lecture from the officers about how I should never open carry, no matter where, and then their attempt to school me on the potential liability if I were to use my handgun for defense. Furthermore, they never stated that anybody from the church asked me to only carry concealed, or that any church representative was involved in this situation at all. So, I left under the assumption that they were on-duty officers, not hired by the church, and they were asking me to leave, and not carry. It wasn't until days later that I knew anything about anybody at the church asking them to have me leave, and in all fairness, I posted once I did have that information,

 

[SgtScott31]

sorry, it is not their right, but their privilege by law. just because the LEO's superiors think something, doesn't make it right

but i would agree. since this is a church that does believe in the doctrine of Jesus. then i would find one that does. Luke 22: 36

Last I checked it's also a privilege (not a right) for you to be able to carry that gun on your person throughout TN, pursuant to TN law.

As far as the lecture by the officers, they are entitled to their opinion just like anyone on this forum is. If you don't like it, then move on. I get lectured on just about every traffic stop I make about how I need to go after real criminals, or how I'm picking on that particular driver, or how I'm meeting a quota or "collecting revenue." You know how the old saying goes, "one thing two people can agree on is what the 3rd person is doing wrong."

 

[OC for ME]

Last I checked it's also a privilege (not a right) for you to be able to carry that gun on your person throughout TN, pursuant to TN law.

As far as the lecture by the officers, they are entitled to their opinion just like anyone on this forum is. If you don't like it, then move on. I get lectured on just about every traffic stop I make about how I need to go after real criminals, or how I'm picking on that particular driver, or how I'm meeting a quota or "collecting revenue." You know how the old saying goes, "one thing two people can agree on is what the 3rd person is doing wrong."

Disarming the citizen, then providing a lecture where the citizen could not reasonably extricate himself from their clutches is more than voicing their opinion. They did not, if the op is accurate, give the OP his firearm back with a cover it up or get out. Nope, just walked him out. It seems that all of the facts are irrelevant to some folks.

OP, get a new church, and let your preacher know why.

 

[FTG-05]

Last Saturday I open carried my S&W 329PD while inspecting some land we were looking at to buy. It was right up against the Elk River about 6 miles west of Fayetteville.

The owner, a woman, and her brother-in-law got in my truck to drive to where her property was from his house (about 1/4 mile or so), then we walked around for at least 15 minutes looking at the property and almost walking the boundaries - it was a little over 17 acres. It wasn't until about 15-20 minutes into our walk that the owner noticed that I was carrying a gun. She made a comment and I responded that that was normal, most people don't notice - and when they do, most don't care or make any comment.

Then I went looking around the area for other property, just sort of sight-seeing, and then went into the little convenience store located on Railroad Bed Road at Coldwater (or Coldcreek). Walked up and one of the old timers noticed right off with a " that man's carrying a gun!". I ignored it, went on it and bought a Gatorade, then walked out and spent a couple minutes with the old timers, no one said a word about the gun though.

We passed on the property, it was about an hour away from where we currently live and wanted something a little closer.