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Open carry in Tennessee state parks?

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Narwhal

Narwhal

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Feb 8, 2010
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Hi,

I am visiting Roan Mountain state park in Tennessee in a few weeks and am wondering what my options are for carrying there?

I am a Texas resident with a Texas concealed handgun license if it matters. I was hoping to carry my H&K USP 40 in a belt holster for protection from black bear since we are planning to hike long distances.

I could carry it concealed if that was my only option.

I'm guessing the answer is "NO!" since I found this blurb on the TN state parks website:

Firearms, traps and other weapons
Exceptions to weapons prohibition provided below.
In park, natural, and historical areas the use of traps, seines, handthrown spears, nets (except landing nets), firearms (including air and gas powered pistols and rifles), blow guns, bows and arrows or crossbows, and any other implements designed to discharge missiles in the air or under the water which are capable of destroying animal life is prohibited. The possession of such objects or implements is prohibited unless they are unloaded and adequately cased, or broken down or otherwise packed in such a way as to prevent their use while in the park areas.

Exception 1: Shooters may use recreational target shooting ranges available for skeet, trap and bow and arrow target shooting within a park area as long as these weapons are properly cased when not on the range.

Exception 2: Authorized Federal, State, County and City law enforcement officers may carry firearms in the performance of their official duties.

Exception 3: Persons using park area facilities while participating in authorized open or managed hunts within the park areas or beyond, may use and possess firearms under the specific rules and regulations pertaining to the authorized hunt and only in the authorized hunting zones or compartments.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice!
 
See - http://www.tn.gov/safety/handgun/handguntca.shtml

But - There are a few points about carrying a handgun suitable for defending against a human attack.

.40 isn't suitable for use against a black bear.
Bear spray would be more effective.
Black bears aren't usually agressive and millions of people every year visit our bear habitat without any problem unless they molest the bear or somehow make themselves particularly "attractive". You're best bet is learn how to avoid making yourself a target (kinda like we tell people about human predators all the time). With black bears you want to keep all food smells away from you and your camp. No perfume, no open food, no "nice" smelling anything.You want to keep small children who may not be able to resist getting close to bears close to you at all times (a moment's inattention with a child who isn't intimately familiar with the woods can lead to a lost, or worse, child).
 
Thanks for the response!

Well, I have a .357 mag revolver that I could carry instead, but it is an 8 shot N frame and I don't think I would be able to conceal it at all. Obviously if open carry is a go I could use it instead, with some 180gr cast bullets.

I'm still not clear from the link you gave whether or not I would be required to conceal? It says you can possess. Either way I would definitely feel better with some kind of firearm than none at all, even if it's not something I would use if I was hunting the animal.
 
TN doesn't have any requirement to conceal. Regardless of any laws, if you choose to carry, i'd recommend you use the smaller cal, keep it concealed, and do not shoot any black bear. I'm not saying they're tame, but as long as you haven't slathered yourself in steak sauce, they're probably not going to bother you. they're definitely not trying to eat you. worst case, dropping your pack and letting them tear it up will be a whole lot less hassle and expense than wounding or killing a black bear.
 
Thanks again, good to know there is no requirement to conceal in TN.

I'm absolutely not looking to shoot any bears, I'm just looking for peace of mind in case something really bizarre happens, same as when I carry at home except the potential threats are different.
 
You are far more likely to get mugged in a park than attacked by bears. Carry for the two legged vermin. Enjoy your stay in TN.
 
My suggestion is that you carry concealed unless you are away from people on the trail. I would open carry with a shirt hanging down over the gun away from people.

The above link to the guy in Radnor State Park is a bit of a joke as far as I'm concerned. That park (in Nashville) is very heavily visited and he was just asking for trouble. I don't blame the Park Rangers at all. The Rangers gave him pretty much what he deserved for being stupid. My suggestion is that you aren't stupid and don't draw attention to yourself if you are carrying. Bears are not a problem and they certainly aren't a problem at Radnor Lake.
 
I would carry concealed, don't worry about bears. I live minuts from the park, bears tend to stay off the trails this time of year, but do like to hang around campsites where people leave food scraps and trash. A can of spray is all you need. Be advised if your hiking the AT or side trails you may find yourself in North Carolina, you might want to check their carry laws before going on your hikes. It's been damp and kinda cool here this year, bring a good lightweight jacket.
 
Local story and general advice for the general population

http://www.timesnews.net/article/9063727/dead-bear-found-on-wilcox-drive

Bears in the suburbs are not uncommon now.

My son, my cousins and I liked to hang out every other weekend at family property in the mountains, ATVing, BBQing, target pracricing, sitting around the campfire listening to NASCAR races on a battery powered radio. Unfortunately my uncle died this spring and that has put a damper on things. But there was bear sign, and we all practiced bear avoidance: the boys ATVing got to see a few bears, observed respectfully from a distance. I expect self-defense shooting of a bear to be looked at as strictly by the Wildlife Resources Agency as the prosecutor would look at self-defense shooting of a person. So I repeat, we may be armed on the mountain, but we consciously practice bear avoidance.
 
they are all over. heck, we had a bear hit by a car inside the city limits of Cookeville this year. (about 2.5 hour drive from the park)
 
Yes, there are black bears and they are primarily concentrated in the Eastern 1/3 of the state. Anything is possible..... Few people are injured or killed by black bears in TN. There have been a couple incidents in the Smokey Mt NP and one that I recall over east of Benton TN in the National Forest. But it is not common and people make too much of black bears in general. They can be a real nuisance if some some reason they start visiting your house/property and tearing up bird feeders, trash cans etc.
 
All right, I will probably just go unarmed altogether. I'm flying so it was going to be a hassle to bring something anyway. It's a one day hike and we won't be camping. It sounds like the threat is minimal so I won't concern myself over it too much. The person I am hiking with is actually the one who suggested that I carry and I thought they were more familiar with the area than I was. Maybe I'll get some spray if I have time.
 
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I don't own a "pocket rocket" but that is something I would consider. The park is state land or federal I would be "leary" of carrying.
 
A lightweight 38 or .380 is easy to hike with and adequate to defend your self against the most likely threat which is still very unlikely. Most bears, hogs, and k9s are shy. Consider yourself lucky if you catch a glimpse. Bells on your pack are pretty effective at announcing your approach. Copperheads, skunks, and crazy rednecks are not shy or scarce. I always hike with a gun in the mountains just in case but have only came close to using it twice back in the '80/90s.
 
Johnny D,
Hey I'm a tad new to all CCW laws. But here in my state you can't carry at the P.O., and I am told its illegal to carry on most state and federal places, including court houses, parks, etc. But like I just mentioned I'm a tad new to all CCW laws in my state. And I would rather be "leary" than sorry.
Some states may be different, but safe is better than sorry.
 
You can carry in federal parks as long as state laws allow it, ie: you can carry in state parks.

TN allows this, if you have a Handgun Carry Permit, which is necessary for either open or concealed carry. The signs at the state parks still say No Weapons, to save money the legislature allowed the existing signage to remain until they needed to be replaced.
 
I'd recommend spray over a gun for bear defense. You mentioned trying to get some if you have time. Be aware that while flying with a gun might be a hassle, flying with spray is not allowed at all. You'll have to buy it once you've landed and leave it before you board again.

I live six miles from GSMNP and don't worry about bears.
 
I live six miles from GSMNP and don't worry about bears.
Click to expand...

I got to the park hoping to see a bear. I am not nervous that they will attack me, but I do respect their space.

I wouldn't go to all the trouble of taking a gun on an airline for a one day hike. Let your friend provide you with a firearm. Didn't know you can't transport bear spray in arlines. That is a new one for me.
 
Johnny D,
Hey I'm a tad new to all CCW laws. But here in my state you can't carry at the P.O., and I am told its illegal to carry on most state and federal places, including court houses, parks, etc. But like I just mentioned I'm a tad new to all CCW laws in my state. And I would rather be "leary" than sorry.
Some states may be different, but safe is better than sorry.
Click to expand...

I suggest learning more about the laws before commenting about them. Federally it's illegal to carry in the PO, or federal buildings. Parks are fine.

OP, bears may not be a huge problem, but I'd still carry. There's still tons of 2 legged animals out there. Flying with guns supposedly isn't a big hassle as long as you have everything in order.
 
Open carry is legal in many states but unless you will be hiking and camping in a remote area, I would strongly recommend you go with CC. Right or wrong, legal or otherwise; many people become worried when they see someone with a gun. Too avoid bringing unnessary attention your direction, stick with CC.

You can not fly with Bear spray either in a carry on or in checked baggage. Is banned on all airlines I've ever flown on. Is also illegal to send it through the mail or via most package delivery [Fed X etc]. If you plan to carry bear spray, don't fret with a gun as back up [except for 2 legged bears] as you won't have time for a 2nd line of defense. 4oz of bear spray might run off an angry beaver, but wouldn't do you much good with a bear intent on doing you harm.
 
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