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Travelling through Tennessee But Will Be Stopping On Way Back

Law abider

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Aug 17, 2011
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1,164
Location
Ellsworth Wisconsin
Going to NC in not so distance in the future. Communicated with USCCA of which I am a member to ask for help. Find out that though WI and TN have reciprocity, Tennessee doesn't allow ammo in a gun unless one is travelling through without stopping. Now how did such a dumb law get passed not allowing folks to carry a gun with ammo? I suppose when concealing also, the gun has to be empty. What good is an empty gun? The state is a lawyers delight.
 

JustaShooter

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Jul 26, 2013
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728
Location
NE Ohio
I suspect there has been some misunderstanding along the way. As long as your WI license is honored by TN, you can carry a loaded gun with you whether or not you are traveling through.

See 39-17-1351.Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit Handgun Carry Permits.
(r)(1)A facially valid handgun permit, firearms permit, weapons permit or license issued by another state shall be valid in this state according to its terms and shall be treated as if it is a handgun permit issued by this state; provided, however, this subsection (r) shall not be construed to authorize the holder of any out-of-state permit or license to carry, in this state, any firearm or weapon other than a handgun.
(2)For a person to lawfully carry a handgun in this state based upon a permit or license issued in another state, the person must be in possession of the permit or license at all times the person carries a handgun in this state

 

Law abider

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Joined
Aug 17, 2011
Messages
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Location
Ellsworth Wisconsin
I suspect there has been some misunderstanding along the way. As long as your WI license is honored by TN, you can carry a loaded gun with you whether or not you are traveling through.

See 39-17-1351.Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit Handgun Carry Permits.
(r)(1)A facially valid handgun permit, firearms permit, weapons permit or license issued by another state shall be valid in this state according to its terms and shall be treated as if it is a handgun permit issued by this state; provided, however, this subsection (r) shall not be construed to authorize the holder of any out-of-state permit or license to carry, in this state, any firearm or weapon other than a handgun.
(2)For a person to lawfully carry a handgun in this state based upon a permit or license issued in another state, the person must be in possession of the permit or license at all times the person carries a handgun in this state

I looked at the reciprocity map and it states that weather you CC or OC your gun must not contain any bullets.
Summary of Tennessee Gun Laws
Tennessee is a shall-issue state with concealed weapons permits issued at the state level by the Department of Safety & Homeland Security.
There is no permit, background check or firearms registration required when buying a handgun from a private individual.
Open carry is legal with a permit or without a permit if the gun is unloaded and the ammunition is not in the immediate vicinity. Tennessee prohibits the possession of a firearm “with the intent to go armed.” The minimum age is 18 years old. Some areas are off-limits, including government buildings and schools.
Ok. So without a permit you cannot carry a loaded gun. With a permit you can?
 

Fallguy

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Sep 21, 2007
Messages
715
Location
McKenzie Tennessee, USA
As far as travelling through......you have have a loaded firearm in your vehicle without any permit so long as you can legally posses the firearm.
 

JustaShooter

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Joined
Jul 26, 2013
Messages
728
Location
NE Ohio
I looked at the reciprocity map and it states that weather you CC or OC your gun must not contain any bullets.
Summary of Tennessee Gun Laws
Tennessee is a shall-issue state with concealed weapons permits issued at the state level by the Department of Safety & Homeland Security.
There is no permit, background check or firearms registration required when buying a handgun from a private individual.
Open carry is legal with a permit or without a permit if the gun is unloaded and the ammunition is not in the immediate vicinity. Tennessee prohibits the possession of a firearm “with the intent to go armed.” The minimum age is 18 years old. Some areas are off-limits, including government buildings and schools.
Ok. So without a permit you cannot carry a loaded gun. With a permit you can?
I believe you are misreading it, likely because the phrasing / punctuation are vague. I believe this would be a better phrasing: Open carry is legal with a permit. Open carry is legal without a permit if the gun is unloaded and the ammunition is not in the immediate vicinity.

Another resource (one I prefer) is www.handgunlaw.us - the Tennessee page at https://www.handgunlaw.us/states/tennessee.pdf says:
Open Carry is only legal for those with a valid permit/license to carry a concealed firearm.
Presumably, this declaration relies on the following from TN 39-17-1307:
9-17-1308. Defenses to Unlawful Possession or Carrying of a Weapon. —
(a) It is a defense to the application of § 39-17-1307if the possession or carrying was:
...
(2) By a person authorized to possess or carry a firearm pursuant to § 39-17-1315 or § 39-17-1351;

(39-17-1351 is the section providing for issuing handgun carry permits.)

It also quotes TN law regarding open carry of an unloaded firearm:

39-17-1308. Defenses to Unlawful Possession or Carrying of a Weapon. —
(a) It is a defense to the application of § 39-17-1307if the possession or carrying was:
(1) Of an unloaded rifle, shotgun or handgun not concealed on or about the person and the ammunition for the weapon was not in the immediate vicinity of the person or weapon;

So, as I interpret the above you can openly carry an unloaded firearm in TN without a license/permit, and can openly carry a loaded handgun in TN *with* a permit/license that is honored by TN.
 

Law abider

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2011
Messages
1,164
Location
Ellsworth Wisconsin
I believe you are misreading it, likely because the phrasing / punctuation are vague. I believe this would be a better phrasing: Open carry is legal with a permit. Open carry is legal without a permit if the gun is unloaded and the ammunition is not in the immediate vicinity.

Another resource (one I prefer) is www.handgunlaw.us - the Tennessee page at https://www.handgunlaw.us/states/tennessee.pdf says:
Presumably, this declaration relies on the following from TN 39-17-1307:


(39-17-1351 is the section providing for issuing handgun carry permits.)

It also quotes TN law regarding open carry of an unloaded firearm:



So, as I interpret the above you can openly carry an unloaded firearm in TN without a license/permit, and can openly carry a loaded handgun in TN *with* a permit/license that is honored by TN.
I got it clarified. Our WI CCL is recognized by TN and thus I can carry a loaded firearm. Thanks JustaShooter. The way it is written, the paragraph is void of punctuation and confused me. I am good to go.
 
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